Spotlight on Mental Health

Healthwatch Surrey undertook research on young people’s experiences of anxiety and emotional wellbeing at Magna Carta School in Staines. The research involved 189 students during the school’s Health and Wellbeing Week in March 2017 and explored how young people manage feelings of anxiety and who they turn to for support. 

The report found that the majority of students had experienced anxiety or worry. Young people were most likely to speak to friends or parents about their feelings, while teachers were less commonly identified as a source of support. A significant proportion of students reported that they did not speak to anyone about their worries or were unsure where to seek help. 

When asked who they felt comfortable talking to about their feelings, 153 students identified friends and 128 identified a parent or another trusted adult. However, 50 students said they would not feel comfortable talking to anyone, highlighting the challenges some young people face in accessing emotional support. Students also commented on the importance of peer support and the lack of support options available during school holidays. 

The report concluded that anxiety is a common issue for young people and that schools have an important role in encouraging discussion about emotional wellbeing. The findings were intended to inform work by the Surrey Children and Young People’s Partnership Board and to support efforts to improve mental health support, peer networks and staff confidence in helping young people manage anxiety.