Youth Council demands more school counsellors
More mental health counsellors should work within schools to help students cope with exam stress and other pressures, a youth group has demanded.
St Albans and Harpenden Youth Council made the plea at a public meeting and also called for:
- Efforts to tackle social isolation among teens by offering a diverse programme of activities during school holidays;
- Campaigns to raise awareness about the needs of young people with learning disabilities;
- An extension of the Young Health Champions scheme to cover children aged 13 and below;
- And the installation of more recycling bins on the streets to combat litter.
The Youth Council is a group of young people, aged 11 to 19, drawn from around the District who promote the interests of their generation.
Eight members met with Councillors from St Albans City and District Council’s two Scrutiny Committees on Tuesday 13 November.
On the issue of improving counselling within schools, Niamh McGrath said that “every pupil could benefit” from specialist help such was the intense pressure they faced.
The Youth Council members also said having counselling available within school rather than outside meant the pupils involved would not have to miss lessons.
On the issue of school holidays, Arian Cani said some young people often became socially isolated and spent hours on social media or playing computer games.
He said a focus group should be set up by the Council to find out what opportunities the teens would like to be offered.
Andrej Juraszek, Sport and Development Health Manager for the Council’s leisure contractor 1Life, said he was keen to meet with the Youth Council to see how they could provide a more diverse programme. He acknowledged that the current offering might be too sports-based.
On learning disabilities, Bethany Chan said young people often “had a lack of knowledge” about this issue and wanted to improved their understanding.
They needed more “support and guidance” so they could gain insight into the “reasons behind behaviour”.
Youth Health Champions have the role of helping other young people improve their mental health and make the right lifestyle choices.
Tiffany Osibanjo said this scheme had many “positive impacts,” but there was strong evidence it needed to be extended to younger age groups of school year nine and below.
On recycling, Tiffany said the amount of litter on the District’s streets was “increasing rapidly,” though much of it was recyclable.
She added:
A simple fix would be to add recycling bins as well as waste bins to ensure sustainable environmental growth.
Joe Tavernier, the Council’s Head of Community Services, said recycling street bins were being introduced. He offered to meet with Youth Council members to identify sites where they felt the bins were particularly needed.
Councillor Anthony Rowlands, who chaired the meeting, said afterwards:
The Youth Council made an outstanding presentation and raised many important issues. Councillors and officers engaged with them and have already promised to take action in some areas.
The Youth Council members were offered the opportunity to identify locations around the District where recycling bins could make an impact and I hope they take that up.
One of our leisure contractors agreed that their programme of summer activities may be too sports based and that they will take on board suggestions from the Youth Council to broaden the offering.
As regards counselling in schools, the Youth Council understood that this service falls outside the responsibility of the District Council. However, we will be passing on their concerns to our Health and Wellbeing Committee which is taking a strong interest in securing better local provision for young people.
Councillors at the meeting agreed we will now consider all the issues raised by the Youth Council and prepare a response, detailing the other actions we will undertake to deal with their concerns.
Councillor Roma Mills, the vice-chair of the meeting, said:
It was inspiring to hear young people airing the concerns of their generation in such an articulate and vigorous way.
They pressed home their thoughts on five key issues affecting young people throughout the District and I can assure them that we have taken notice of what they said.
I was particularly struck by how passionate the Youth Council was about the need to provide better help for those with mental health problems or learning disabilities. Those are important, complex challenges and it is very encouraging to see our young people take them on.
Councillor contact:
Anthony Rowlands, Chair of the Community, Environment and Sport Scrutiny Committee of St Albans City and District Council. Tel: 07761 232064 Email: anthonyrowlands@hotmail.com
Councillor Roma Mills, Chair of the Planning, Resources, Housing and Commercial Scrutiny Committee of St Albans City and District Council.
Tel: 01727 837319, Email: Cllr.R.Mills@stalbans.gov.uk
Media contact:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council.
Tel: 01727 296130 E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk