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Lack of CAMHS capacity is biggest barrier to tackling mental health, teachers warn

Mental health
The lack of capacity in CAMHS has become a bigger barrier to tackling mental health problems than the historic stigma surrounding these issues, school staff have said.

A study involving staff from 341 schools has reported “dramatic increases” in mental health issues among pupils.

However, because of the lack of capacity in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), some schools are now only referring pupils if there is an immediate risk of harm.

The research has been led by the Anna Freud Centre, a children’s mental health charity, and also reveals that more than two-thirds of schools now have some specialist support available, including anger management, mindfulness, peer support – this was much more common in secondary schools.

One teacher told researchers: “Over the years the burden on schools to deal with mental health issues has increased dramatically.

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