As many as 9,000 young people across Brighton and Hove face mental health difficulties, a group of headteachers has claimed.
Principals from schools and colleges across the city have called on the new Labour administration to deliver on promises to tackle the “mental health emergency”.
In an open letter to council leader Bella Sankey they claimed that, based on NHS data, between 7,500 and 9,000 young people across the city face issues with their mental health.
The letter said: “As school and college leaders we witness firsthand the devastating impact that the mental health crisis is having on our young people day in, day out.
“Too many of our students are struggling with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues and you’ll be aware that things have got worse over the past two to three years.
“We all know that mental health cannot wait and every day that passes without action is another day that our young people suffer.
“We need immediate and sustained action to address this crisis.”
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The letter was co-signed by senior staff at Varndean School, Varndean College, Hove Park School, Cardinal Newman Catholic School, BACA and BHASVIC.
It comes a year after the city became the first in England to declare a mental health emergency in December amid calls from campaign group Brighton and Hove Citizens to implement schools and college-based counselling across Brighton and Hove.
Among the promises in its election manifesto, Labour committed to deliver mental health counselling in schools.
The manifesto said: “A Labour council will explore funding sources for mental health counsellors in schools and colleges to ensure all young people with mental health issues and their parents can access the help they need.
“We will work to better inform young people of the risks of social media.”
Labour also pledged to scrutinise the provision of mental health services and “push for the best possible access to all the city’s healthcare services for everyone who needs them”.
Brighton and Hove City Council was approached for comment.
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