Behavioural, emotional, and mental health problems
Fluctuating emotions and behaviour are part of normal growing up, but in some cases they can affect a young person’s ability to cope with life and learning.
This can manifest in many ways: anger, withdrawal, defiance, lack of self-esteem, aggression, and difficulties with learning to name a few.
The causes can be complex and may be linked to one or more of the challenging circumstances outlined in the other sections on this website.
Behavioural and emotional problems, and mental health problems are not necessarily the same thing. See useful definitions on page 7 of this document. For example, conduct/behaviour problems may be caused by a permanent ‘condition’ – often termed ‘BESD’, Behavioural, Emotional and Social Disorder and be termed as a Special Educational Need. Mental health problems may be temporary and caused by a life ‘circumstance’. We have combined resources here as there are many overlaps.
According to the latest data, around 1 in 8 or 13% of young people have mental health problems; and around 17.5% have a statement/SEN support for social, emotional and mental health needs.
Practical advice
- Lessons learned from Music Minds, a music and mental health programme - Misha Law, music therapist, The Music Works
Blog
- Anxiety in the classroom – Child Mind Institute
Video
- Practice sharing video from Music Minds – The Music Works
- Video series - Practical advice for working with troubled young people – Jonny Matthew
Explore further
- Music changes young lives and minds – webinar, Trinity College
See also the Adverse childhood experiences section