1. The mental health of children and young people in Brighton & Hove
Safe & Well in Schools Survey
SAWSS, 2015

2. Introduction
The emotional health and wellbeing of children is just as important as their physical health and wellbeing.
Mental health illnesses are a leading cause of disability in children and young people (CYP)
It can have adverse and long-lasting effects such as poorer physical health, lower educational attainment and higher uptake of harmful behaviours(1).
SAWSS, 2015

3. A few facts and figures on mental health in CYP: Prevalence
England
Brighton & Hove
Prevalence probably higher since risk factors are higher in B&H
Estimated that 8% of CYP aged 5-16 suffer from a clinically significant mental health illness but…
9% of CYP aged 5-16 years suffer from a clinically significant mental health illness
SAWSS, 2015

4. A few facts and figures on mental health in CYP: Prevalence
Main risk factors leading to mental health illness in CYP in Brighton & Hove compared to England:
Age:
Higher proportion of young people
Male:
Boys outnumber girls (until 15-25yrs age group)
Homelessness:
Higher rate of statutory homeless with dependent children.
In the general population in B&H the prevalence of MH diagnosis is 1.18%, significantly higher than the national average 0.88% and SE average And higher than CIPFA neighbours
Suicide rate in general population: 15.2 per 100,000 in B&H, 10.1 per 100,000 in England
Suicide rate in males: 24.4 per 100,000 in B&H, 15.8 per 100,000 in England.
SAWSS, 2015

5. A few facts and figures on mental health in CYP…
Main risk factors leading to mental health illness in CYP in Brighton & Hove compared to England:
Domestic violence:
% of children living in households at high risk of DV increased by 17% between 2013 & 2015.
Children in care:
18th highest rate of children in care in England.
Special educational needs:
Higher proportion of pupils with SEN
SAWSS, 2015

6. A few facts and figures on mental health in CYP…
Risk factors in schools:
Bullying
Discrimination
Breakdown in or lack of positive friendships
Deviant peer influences
Peer pressure
Poor pupil to teacher relationship
Protective factors in schools:
Positive school climate that enhances belonging and connectedness
Clear policies on behaviour and bullying
Open door policy for children to raise problems
A whole-school approach to promoting good mental health
SAWSS, 2015

7. Safe & Well in Schools Survey, 2015
The Brighton & Hove Safe and Well at School Survey (SAWSS) is an anonymous online survey conducted annually by primary and secondary schools during lesson time.
In November 2015 a total of 9206 young people aged years took part across the 10 different secondary schools in Brighton & Hove. This is 81% of young people in these school years.
We will focus on emotional wellbeing and harmful behaviours.
SAWSS, 2015

8. Emotional wellbeing: % of pupils in B&H who strongly agree or disagree…
SAWSS, 2015

9. % of students who strongly disagree or disagree that they are happy with life at the moment.
SAWSS, 2015

10. What do students worry about?
SAWSS, 2015

11. Bullying is a risk factor for CYP mental illness
14% of students report having been bullied.
There has been a significant reduction in % students reporting bullying over the last eight years (25% in 2006 to 14% in 2015).
SAWSS, 2015

12. SAWSS, 2015 Bullying is a risk factor for CYP mental illness (1).
This seems to reflect the work done in schools to understand and prevent bullying from happening.
Still work to do…
SAWSS, 2015

13. Who is more likely to be bullied
Who is more likely to be bullied? % of students reporting bullying by personal characteristics
SAWSS, 2015

14. Sexual health*: age at 1st sexual encounter
SAWSS, 2015

15. Sexual health: trends
SAWSS, 2015

16. Risk behaviours: smoking
Regular smokers:
In B&H:
SAWSS: 13% of students in year 11
WAY: 15% of 15 years old smoke regularly
In England & South East
8.2% & 9.0%
Occasional and regular smoking trend at age 15, , Brighton & Hove (SWASS)
4% of all students are regular smokers
2% of regular smokers would like to give up.
6% of year 11 are regular smokers but want to give up
SAWSS, 2015

17. Risk behaviours: alcohol & smoking
43% of students have tried a whole drink
52% have been drunk
Non-prescription drugs:
11% of non-prescription drugs
Of those who took non-prescription drugs:
80% used Cannabis.
38% used drugs other than Cannabis.
SAWSS, 2015

18. Smoking, alcohol and drug use by school year
SAWSS, 2015

19. Use of tobacco, alcohol and non-prescription drugs among students, 2011-2015 in B&H
2012
2013
2014
2015
Never smoked
70%
72%
74%
77%
76%
Never been drunk -
79%
Never taken drugs
90%
89%
SAWSS, 2015

20. 86% of all students use social media.
Use of social media
86% of all students use social media.
54% feel confident they can keep safe on social media.
70% have never received negative comments/abuse/bullying.
Variations by age, sexual orientation, not being happy.
Age: yrs old: 82%; yrs old: 94%
Gender: girls 88%; boys 84%
Sexual orientation: LGB 91%; unsure71%, heterosexual 87%
Not happy 83%; happy 78%
SAWSS, 2015

21. Self-harm*
12% of students reported hurting or harming themselves often or sometimes.
But there are significant differences by:
Gender:
Girls: 16%
Boys: 6%
Use another word to describe their gender: 28%
Sexual orientation:
Heterosexual: 8%
LGB: 33%
Unsure: 26%
Others: been bullied, been drunk, used drugs, truanted.
SAWSS, 2015

22. Suicidal thoughts* 7% of students often have suicidal thoughts
Differences by gender:
Girls:7%
Boys: 5%
Use another word: 21%
By sexual orientation:
Heterosexual: 5%
LGB: 17%
Unsure/not say:12%
Others: carers, extra help, truanted, bullied, alcohol, drugs, smoking, sex
SAWSS, 2015

23. Getting help:
% students who know an adult who can help with their feelings by gender and school year, B&H, 2015.
% students who has asked for help by gender and school year, B&H, 2015.
SAWSS, 2015

24. Conclusions: There is a clustering of behavioural/risk factors:
Those who use another word to describe their gender
LGB and those unsure/prefer not to say
Those who receive extra help
Young carers
Those who have truanted or been excluded
Those who have been bullied or bully someone.
Those who take non-prescription drugs, been drunk, had sex.
Overall, uptake of risk behaviours declining; mirroring national trends. But B&H still among highest in the country.
The reduction in bullying shows that schools can make a difference.
SAWSS, 2015

25. Safe & Well in Schools Survey
Thank you!
Safe & Well in Schools Survey
SAWSS, 2015