In a report published earlier this week, the House of Commons education committee said it was “crucial” to train staff in schools to recognise the warning signs of mental ill-health in students.
Evidence presented to MPs suggested a “growing prevalence of mental ill-health among children and young people, particularly for behavioural and emotional conditions such as anxiety, depression and conduct disorders”.
In 50 per cent of cases, mental illness in adult life, excluding dementia, starts before the age of 15 and three-quarters by 18, they said.
While teachers were not mental health professionals, they were “in many cases well-placed to identify mental ill- health and refer students to further assessment and support”.
Funding for the Pajes programme has come from the Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust and the Wolfson Jewish Schools.
