Thank you for asking for my input into your valuable enquiry regarding help and support for young people. Any opinions remain that of the author and are not indicative of any client work carried out in the past or present. I draw upon my experiences as a professional practitioner and Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP), research and government guidelines to address the questions you ask. Your topic is vast and only a flavour of help, support and processes can be made.
What are the main issues you discuss with your students?
Young people deserve confidential non-judgemental, trustworthy and honest support and help for a variety of issues that can include:-
difficulties in relationships e.g. family and friends
separation issues e.g. boarding away from home, family members in hospital, divorce and so on
bereavement of significant people or pets
bullying
anxiety and depression
addictions e.g. eating disorders, alcohol, smoking, substance misuse
phobias
self-harm
sexual health issues (taken from Schools-based counselling services, 2007)
Do lots of students have problems with alcohol and tobacco?
Traditional all individuals are cautious in admitting to substance use and their level of use. What is evident is later teenage years there appears to be experimentation and greater use of alcohol and smoking. The reasons for this are many and can include peer pressure and stress management.
Do boarders have more problems than day pupils?
I am not aware of evidential data that differentiates between boarders and day pupils at the present time.
Is there any difference between boys' and girls' problems; or older and younger people?
Research exists on this questions but a snapshot is given for example, Childline, carried out a study on Mental Health in Children (2005/6) and found that 77% of the children seeking help between 11-18 years of age were girls. The Office of National Statistics (2004) in their document The Health of children and Young People show the main psychological issues amongst girls were Anxiety and Depression, Behavioural Disorders, Eating Disorders whereas boys main issues are Conduct and Behavioural Disorders. There was little difference in emotional issues like bereavement, examination phobia, relationships, bullying and so on. The risks associated with children’s emotional and psychological needs can include repeated separation from parents, difficult parenting, exposure to neglect or abuse and poor peer-group influences. Understanding these risks one has to applaud the development of schools-based counselling services that help and support young people promoting better emotional and psychological health and preventing an escalation of mental health problems (WAG, 2007).
In your opinion are the students aware of the dangers of drinking and smoking?
There is a lot of information given to children and young people about the effects of alcohol and smoking; information that is shared in PHSE lessons, music, pictures, games, quizzes, websites, magazines and general media. That said, there are theories that suggest some individuals do not relate the potential harmful effects of smoking and alcohol use, like a higher risk of developing cancers to themselves. Icez Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour explains more fully an individual’s thinking around their behaviour choices.
Under what circumstances would you feel obliged to seek additional professional support from outside?
A referral to help and support in schools can be made by the individual student by dropping in, email and telephone. Referrals can also be made by appropriate members of staff, parents and other professionals if the student is in agreement.
Do students seek help? Do they see you voluntarily or have they been sent?
Counselling services are not forced upon another person. Trained and qualified counsellors are people who know it takes courage to seek help; who can be trusted to be honest and keep the young person empowered; who won't judge anyone and put anyone down; who is not easily shocked; who understands the sorts of problems young people might be worried about; who is trained to help.
Sometimes referrals to other agencies are necessary e.g. when a child or young person requires a medical diagnosis and treatment plan; to protect that child or young person from harm to themselves or to others; to meet specific needs. Where possible counsellors will always tell the young person and get agreements before any information is shared on a need to know basis.
Are there many sources of help?
The use of resources and sources are many and are actively sought and used to help and support anyone having counselling support. More often most professionals working with children and young people have access to resource lists.
How long does the typical interview with you last?
The BACP suggest a counselling session be of 50 minutes duration with 5 minutes before and after to recap and review what is being shared and actions agreed. That said, young people in schools have lessons and where possible session last a lesson period of 40 minutes unless a specific therapeutic intervention is being used.
Children need hope and a path of honour