More than ever our children and young people are subject to many stresses. Pressure to conform to media stereotypes, pressure to do well at school, family separation, peer pressure and bullying to name a few of the issues presented to them.
These stresses are difficult enough for an adult to cope with but our children have little experience to draw upon, may feel they have no one they can talk to or believe they are the only ones to feel this way resulting in conditions such as anxiety, depression, anger and behavioural problems. In extreme cases self-harm or even suicide ideation can seem the only way out to a young person.
Subject to child protection legislation, counselling offers the young person a confidential safe space to explore their concerns, allowing them to talk free from judgement or pressure to be.
Wales is the only part of the UK where counselling services are legally required in schools however this service is often oversubscribed and poorly funded leaving an otherwise excellent provision limited to a few sessions per child. CAMHS (Children & Adolescent Mental Health Services) have long waiting times which can be as long as 12 months.