Exam stress, safety fears, poverty, family breakdown – there are so many things that contribute to making children feel anxious and unhappy these days. But just how bad have things got for British children?
Pretty bad, according to a study published by the United Nations' children's organisation, Unicef. Far from boasting a population of healthy young people, the study found that children in the UK had the worst emotional wellbeing in the developed world.
In response to these findings, Action for Children launched a campaign called Growing Strong to improve awareness of the issue of emotional wellbeing among the UK's most vulnerable children.
The campaign seeks to help the most disadvantaged young people find the inner strength to overcome the difficulties they face, and generally give young people in Britain the tools they need to feel positive about their future.
So what is emotional wellbeing exactly? Essentially it's having the resilience and self-esteem to cope with life's problems and make the most of its opportunities. Resilience and self-esteem are vital to coping with challenges in life – they help children deal with change like disruptions to family life, or leaving care. But most of all, emotional wellbeing has a huge influence over young people's futures. An emotionally well child or young person connects with others, is self-aware, can manage their feelings, has good social skills and is motivated.
For children to make the most of their lives in both the short and long term, emotional wellbeing is crucial. Government research has shown that 44% of those with emotional disorders fall behind at school, and 35% say they have difficulty making friends. In the long term, having emotional wellbeing means being able to make the most of the opportunities life offers.
Of course, sometimes it's hard for children to grow strong on their own, and this is where Action for Children comes in. Daniel's story is a great example of how the charity is actioning change. Daniel, from south Wales, was supported by an Action for Children leaving care project.
He had been in care since he was four, after his mother struggled to look after him. When the time came for Daniel to leave care, Claire, his caseworker, provided him with the kind of support that caring family members would give when a young person is ready to leave home.
"I came out of care and went into my own place. Claire helped me sort it all out – from talking to the council about a flat, helping with rent, tax, money, everything. I saw her once a week, or any time I wanted I could pop in.
"I found Claire's help life-changing and fantastic. If it wasn't for Action for Children, I might be in supported accommodation now, not living in my own flat."
Daniel found that the support Action for Children gave him really improved his emotional wellbeing.
"My relationship with my dad and step-mum is really good now too. I'm a lot happier. I really feel I'm getting there."
Research commissioned by Action for Children has identified emotional wellbeing as being very important in social mobility; in fact, emotional wellbeing was shown to have been four and a half times more important as a factor determining social mobility for those born in 1970, compared with those born in 1958. And for children today? Well, we can only assume it's even more important. Emotional wellbeing in childhood can also lead to good mental health in adulthood.
The Growing Strong campaign is asking the government to commit to its Ten Steps to Growing Strong. They include targets to help measure and improve emotional wellbeing, not just harmful behaviour; talking to children about what they need to help them develop; the introduction of new services to help children cope in difficult times; and services to help parents help children.
According to Action for Children's chief executive Clare Tickell, "The lack of emotional wellbeing among our children and young people is undermining the foundations of any social policy to combat social exclusion, deprivation or lack of social mobility. We urge Gordon Brown to commit to tackling this hidden and fast growing problem."
Children don't grow strong on their own, which is why Action for Children is there to help.
