Published 29 November 2024
West Dunbartonshire Council has agreed to procure a mental health and emotional wellbeing provider for secondary schools across the area.
Counselling in West Dunbartonshire schools is currently being offered by Lifelink but the contract will end in March next year.
Counselling is available at all secondary schools and for pupils aged 10 and over. The popular service has been used by more than 480 secondary pupils in eight months and members of the Educational Services Committee agreed to seek a provider now to ensure there is no gap in service provision to children and young people.
Pupils have accessed the service for support in dealing with a range of mental health and wellbeing issues including anxiety, anger and family issues. Young people were offered up to ten counselling sessions and rated their experience very positively.
Convener of Educational Services, Councillor Clare Steel, said: “We are fully committed to ensuring children and young people get access to mental health and wellbeing support and there is no break in this being offered to our children. I am pleased to see this approved at committee and we can get on and start the process of procuring these services which our young people rely on with feedback clearly showing how beneficial it is to have these services in our schools.”
Vice Convener of Educational Services, Councillor John Millar, said: “I fully support this and having supports in place within schools means counselling is easily accessible, non-stigmatising and an effective form of early intervention. These services are vital for our children and young people and it is clear from the number of people who have accessed help that this is well used and much needed in our education establishments.”