SOCIAL distancing in schools risks exacerbating “trauma and distress” in children, a leading mental health charity has warned.
Ministers have been urged “to fully consider the psychological consequences of keeping children apart – particularly for the most vulnerable or those who thrive on school-based interactions”.
The intervention from the Mental Health Foundation comes as the debate over the re-opening of Scotland’s schools rages on.
Last week Nicola Sturgeon promised to “move Heaven and Earth” to get schools back to normal as soon as is possible.
But she added that she would not “act recklessly and put the lives of children, teachers and the wider community at risk”.
Currently, the Scottish Government guidance is that social distancing of at least two metres should be observed. For most of Scotland’s schools that means it’s impossible to have all their pupils back in the building at the same time.
As a result, when classes resume on August 11, children and teachers will need to work to a “blended” model of schooling, with a mixture of home-schooling and classroom based education.
The Government’s advisors are currently reviewing the two-metre gap, and are expected to report back soon on potentially dropping it down to one metre.
Toni Giugliano from the Mental Health Foundation said that, as well as physical health, ministers need to remember the mental health of pupils.
Recent research conducted by the charity revealed that over half (58%) of young people aged between 18-24 living in Scotland have felt anxious or worried because of the coronavirus pandemic over the last two weeks. The latest research, carried out between May 22-29, also found that over one in five (23%) feel afraid, with over a third (41%) saying they have felt lonely.
He said: “Children and young people are least likely to be affected by Covid-19 physically but are most likely to be affected psychologically.
“To introduce social distancing in schools could exacerbate the trauma and distress that many have experienced in the last few months.
“We’re urging the Scottish Government to fully consider the psychological consequences of keeping children apart – particularly for the most vulnerable or those who thrive on school-based interactions.”
The foundation also recommended that schools spend the first two months of term focusing on health and wellbeing, and they’ve called for the rollout of a “Wellbeing Hour”.
They’ve also urged ministers to increase the number of mental health support workers in schools and to carry out an impact assessment on the psychological consequences of introducing social distancing in schools.
Giugliano said: “Our time spent in school, during those important developmental years of our adolescence shape us and pave the way for our future. How schools respond and support children and young people will have a significant influence on the mental health and wellbeing of our next generation.”
Jacqueline Pollock, pastoral head at St Mungo’s High School in Falkirk said the recommendations confirmed what her teachers had been hearing during contacts with parents and pupils over the lockdown.
She said:”Many have raised concerns about social isolation and uncertainty about the future. Disruption to sleep patterns has also been a significant factor in the lives of many young people as routines have changed significantly.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said they were already acting to support the mental health of young people.
“We know the lockdown is putting a strain on many children’s mental health. Last month we announced that key mental health services to support families, young people and autistic people are to receive more than £1 million of additional funding.
“We have written to health boards to emphasise that mental health treatment for children and young people should be a clinical priority and our guidance on re-opening schools makes it clear that specific attention to pupils’ mental health will need to be considered.”
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