The cost-of-living crisis is a key driver behind a potential increase in anxiety among children as they return to school after the Christmas break, according to an expert.
Michael Samuel, chair of children’s mental health charity, the Anna Freud Centre, joined sector leaders in writing to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak requesting urgent action to address the systemic causes of poor mental health ahead of the festive period.
According to Samuel, various factors are responsible for the high rates of anxiety, from the war in Ukraine, to the impact of the pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Although he said that anxiety about heading back to school in January is normal, he added that emotions are likely to be heightened this year.
