Government-funded counselling in every state school would pay for itself within a decade and create a financial boost to the country worth £1.9 billion, according to an analysis published today.
The report, produced by Public First, suggests that school-based counselling would deliver financial benefits eight times greater than the cost of providing it.
It also highlights how pupils with mental health conditions are more likely to be absent from school.
NHS data shows that 8- to 16-year-olds with a probable mental health condition are seven times more likely to miss more than 15 days of schooling in an academic year than those unlikely to have a condition, according to the report.
The report, commissioned by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) in partnership with Citizens UK, comes amid ongoing concerns about lower school attendance since the pandemic.
Universal access to counselling
BACP is calling for early-help counselling in all of England’s primary schools, secondary schools, further education colleges and sixth forms.
Headteachers’ leaders have previously called for greater urgency from policymakers in addressing the mental health crisis among young people.
Commenting on the report, Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Schools and children would benefit hugely from universal access to a highly-skilled counselling workforce.
“Government underfunding of education means many schools can no longer afford to provide counselling services. This study suggests that access may have almost halved since 2010. In that time, the number of children suffering with mental health problems has soared.”
The Public First report says that reversing the increase in mental health conditions in young people could lead to increased tax revenue, a reduced benefits bill and reduced pressure on the NHS.
It adds: “We estimate a significant fiscal dividend from investing in counselling, with universal provision paying for itself within the space of two parliaments.”
The report calculates that fiscal benefits to the government per young person receiving counselling during their school lifetime would amount to about £2,640 against a cost of provision of £350.
It highlights a 2020 survey that found less than half (48 per cent) of teachers said their school offered on-site counselling.
BACP’s director of policy, professional standards and research, Dr Lisa Morrison Coulthard, said the report “confirms how counselling not only transforms children and young people’s lives but also has a positive long-term impact on wider society and the economy”.
Early support in every school
She added: “Counselling provides a safe space for pupils to be heard, to address their concerns, develop coping mechanisms and build resilience. The sooner children can access counselling, the greater the difference it makes.
“The next government must deliver universal early-help counselling interventions across all England’s primary schools, secondary schools, further education colleges and sixth forms.”
Labour has pledged to put specialist mental health professionals in schools “so every young person has access to early support, resolving problems before they escalate”.
The Liberal Democrats said it would put mental health practitioners in every school and roll out a national wellbeing survey in secondary schools.
Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Thousands of children are being let down by the Conservatives, forced to suffer intolerably long-waits for mental health treatment.
“Liberal Democrats would put a dedicated, qualified mental health professional in every school both primary and secondary, funded by a tax on the social media giants that are such a big part of the problem.”
The Conservatives and Labour have been approached for comment.
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