Health News - Learning therapists could be forced out of primary schools by cuts
Published: 23 June, 2011
by TOM FOOT
ANXIETY, sharp mood swings and depression are the accepted preserve of the modern teenager. But what about the mental health of young primary schoolchildren?
For the past decade, the Tavistock Centre on Belsize Lane has stationed some of its most experienced therapists in five primary schools in Kentish Town and Gospel Oak.
Three days a week, they are in the schools talking to children on a one-to-one basis, working with families, and training teachers to help them understand about children’s mental health.
Amid the organised chaos of the classroom there may be someone whose mind is, unnecessarily, elsewhere.
Project lead and Tavistock consultant child psychotherapist Katie Argent said: “There is a very strong link between children who have difficulties with learning and children who are having a hard time with thoughts and feelings.
“We find that children who are upset and anxious and have powerful feelings find it hard to concentrate.
“Teachers are talented observers and in a fantastic position to see that, especially in primary schools.”
Therapists hold sessions with around 50 children each year at Rhyl, St Dominic’s, Beckford, Brookfield and Carlton primary schools. Parents must give their consent for them to be seen by therapists and sometimes it can take months of talks before for the process to begin.
Ms Argent added: “There is a lot of stigma attached to going to a clinic, but with this project we are in the school, in a normal room.
“We are part of the school and there is a lot of trust there because of that. People have faith in teachers.”
Child depression could emerge from problems in the home or massive life ruptures. But every child has emotional problems, said Ms Argent, it is just that some need help getting over them more than others.
The Tavistock Outreach in Primary Schools (TOPS) project is an unique partnership between the health and education service. Rarely do their two paths meet to such great effect, she added.
It is the sort of service that, in a progressive society, might exist in all schools in Camden and across the country. But swingeing public sector cuts have left headteachers facing up to a no-frills future and – from next year, they will no longer fund TOPS.
The project costs around £110,000 a year with around £6,000 being paid by each school. Headteachers from the five Camden primary schools and top Tavistock staff are raising funds to keep TOPS afloat.
The Portman Clinic rock ’n’ roll band – the Attention Seekers – will perform a charity gig tomorrow (Friday) at Carlton Primary School, Grafton Road, Gospel Oak in aid of the project. Donations are welcome and people can contact the New Journal if they want to get involved.