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News > Press Releases >Study finds primary school counselling makes large difference to children's quality of life

Study finds primary school counselling makes large difference to children's quality of life

On-site counselling for children in schools can make a dramatic
difference to their quality of life according to a new study by MVA
Consultancy.

Ruth Bryan, Senior Consultant at MVA, carried out an evaluation of the
work of The Place2Be, a charity which provides an in-school counselling
service for children in ten Edinburgh primary schools.

More than 175 consultations took place with children, parents, teachers
and other stakeholders during the evaluation. It was found that the
children benefited in a number of areas including:

Increased self-awareness & emotional literacy
Improved communication skills
Improved relationships with family & friends
Increased confidence, resilience & ability to cope better
Positive changes in behaviour
Improved happiness levels/positive outlook
Some improvement in attendance and attainment

Speaking at The Place2Be Edinburgh Hub Celebration in Edinburgh on
Wednesday morning (May 9 2007), Ruth said: "As the service was delivered
within schools there was less stigma attached than if it was delivered
off-site. It certainly had a positive impact on a number of children.

"The confidential service also filled a gap in existing service
provision and managed to help some children who may not have otherwise
received any support. Our research suggested that there is a real need
for emotional support in the schools involved.

"There was also overwhelming support for the introduction of The
Place2Be in other schools in the future."

The Place2Be is now calling for the new Scottish Executive to meet the
mental health needs of primary school children in Scotland.

Children's mental health has become an important arena in recent years
with a Scottish Needs Assessment Programme finding that at any one time,
about 10% of people under the age of 19 in Scotland have mental health
problems which cause difficulties with their thoughts, feelings,
behaviour, learning and relationships on a day to day basis.

Benita Refson, Chief Executive of The Place2Be said: "Over the past
decade we have seen a tripling in the number of people in Scotland on
anti-depressants and we are finding more and more cases of children
suffering from depression.

"We appreciate the support that we have received from the authorities
but we call on them to provide primary school children and their
families with the emotional support that they need.

"Through early intervention The Place2Be makes a real difference by
being there when nobody else was willing to listen to these children. In doing so we are laying the foundations for a healthier Scotland."

Information for Editors:

1) MVA Consultancy provides advice on transport and other policy areas,
to central, regional and local government, agencies, developers,
operators and financiers. A diverse group of results-oriented people, we
are part of a 450-strong team worldwide. Through client business
planning, customer research and strategy development we create solutions
that work for real people in the real world.

2) The Place2Be Edinburgh Hub Celebration in Edinburgh took place at
HBOS Plc, The Mound

Issued by Beattie Communications (www.beattiegroup.com) on behalf of MVA Consultancy

Kimberley Hamilton on 01698 787858/07825 069 411 or email kimberley.hamilton@beattiegroup.com

9 May 2007