I've Worked With Hundreds Of Kids, A Simple Change In Schools Could Boost Mental Health

<div><img src="https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/690c8cca180000398d0408a1.jpg?ops=scalefit_630_noupscale" alt="" data-caption="" data-credit-link-back="" data-credit="DGLimages via Getty Images/iStockphoto" /></div><div class="content-list-component text"><p>A child psychologist has opened up about how she believes a relatively simple change in UK <a href="https://huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/school">schools</a> could better help <a href="https://huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/children">children</a> who are struggling with poor <a href="https://huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/mental-health">mental health</a>.</p><p>There is a mental health crisis not-so-quietly bubbling away among young people. It’s thought <a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/2023/11/one-in-five-children-and-young-people-had-a-probable-mental-disorder-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">one in five children aged eight to 16 years old has a ‘probable mental disorder’</a> – a figure that has been steadily rising over the years.</p><p>On top of this, waiting times for help and support can be lengthy. A <a href="https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/news-and-blogs/over-a-quarter-of-a-million-children-still-waiting-for-mental-health-support/#:~:text=The%20annual%20report%20on%20children's,for%20a%20third%20of%20referrals." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">report on children’s mental health services from 2022-23</a> found the average waiting time for mental health support was 35 days, but 40,000 children experienced a wait of over two years.</p><p>With kids spending most of their waking hours there, schools have an opportunity to help children in their time of need – and Dr Margot Sunderland, <a href="htt