11th July 2014 12:00
By Blue Tutors
A recent survey of head teachers found that many of them were concerned that pupils were suffering from anxiety. Four out of five head teachers said that they were concerned for their students, with many citing self-harming, depression and eating disorders as key areas which needed to be addressed. They also reported significant delays, sometimes up to six months, for cases they reported to be followed up by the Child and adolescent mental health service. These findings suggest that anxiety and depression amongst school children is a significant problem, so what can we as tutors do to help?
The first thing all tutors should do is to be aware. Whilst anxiety and depression may be on the rise in young people, we may not necessarily be able to tell. If students miss deadlines, are quiet or inattentive, we should not immediately assume that they are lazy or uninterested. Just as with any problem with a student’s work, we should first talk to them about why they are getting behind in a friendly and supportive manner. When a student is lacking confidence, requires extra help or is suffering from a more serious problem, talking is the first step in helping them.
Tutors should also recognise that they are not counsellors, and are not trained or there to deal with serious anxiety and depression disorders. If tutors suspect that there may be an issue, talking to the student, and in some cases their parents is advisable, in addition to seeking advice on a referral where appropriate. Tutors often gain the trust of their students, and may be the first to spot it if there is a problem. However, whilst it is good that tutors can be supportive, it is important that they know when to refer a student and not to take on more than they can handle.