What Is The Cost Of Mental Health For 1 Million Children?

Shinga was so fed up at the lack of costings for mental health treatment for children that she has attempted it for herself.

Shinga mentions the need to treat both the child and probably at least one other member of the family. She discusses the 'dispiriting' overlap between mental health problems in children and special educational needs (itself a very costly area). The figures are imperfect and far from comprehensive for the reasons that she describes: nonetheless, it is an interesting and grim read. We are constantly being told that children are our future: is this how we treat them? Is this the best quality investment we are making in the future of our citizens and our economy?

Some commentators greeted the announcement that children in Wellington College are to be taught resilience and happiness with derision. I wonder if the costs of introducing such topics in school would reach more pupils, more quickly, than waiting for the implentation of a large-scale mental health treatment programme that doesn't seem to exist? The children who need more specialised treatment need it. But, in the interim, and for those in the hinterland of having a mental health condition that is not yet serious enough to warrant a psychiatric intervention, what would be the costs of providing Laughter and resilience sessions in schools? The Laughter Leaders could be parent volunteers, local volunteers or maybe even some of the Classroom Assistants. I shall think about this scheme.

Bullying in Schools

Having spoken to another parent about bullying in school today got me thinking. Why is it that parents can see all sorts of ways to get children interacting at school in a less theratening ways? I am not suggesting that parents have all the answers however, nor do schools it seems.  Having read that is is law for schools to have anti bullying policies in place today and given the press and media coverage about the subject, government documents and not to mention the information on the web.  How is it that 15% of children are still suffering long term bullying of some type or other.  I found that a search of my locals schools on line did not flush out to many links to anti bullying policies.  This was a big surprise because most young people communicate online and I would have thought that it woudl make sense to put a pupil friendly anti bullying policy on the web for them to read and know what theor school will do for them if it happens.

In the UK we have gang culture which I think is a place where young people are seeking the belonging and teamwork that they are so desperately needing today.  I can't help feeling that we can do so much more.  And why is it that people are so unwilling to make stand for justice and to speak out for what is right or more importantly what is wrong?

We don't have any answers maybe but I know a man who does.  For those parents worries about bullying for their children, you may find the following links helpful.

www.kidscape.com