Since that time, things have moved on, and the service now works in a mixture of 12 mainstream schools, pupil referral units, and special schools. Most of the schools are in the borough of Stockport, but we also work in Macclesfield, and are completing some work in Trafford.

The important part of this service is that Beacon aims to provide an intervention early in the life of the problem, and with young people you can have more chance to change things for a lifetime. The issues that young people bring are the same as for adults in that they are concerned about important relationships, levels of stress, and experience depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and psychological distress. In fact, national statistics show that more young people are experiencing mental health problems, with 1-in-6 experiencing some form of mental distress.

Beacon’s own figures have seen a significant overall increase in the number of young people accessing counselling, and during 2011, rises in the number of young people being affected by family separation or breakdown, and rises in self-harm. It is too early to identify this as a trend, but we are monitoring the service to see if it points to a growing specific need.

Outcomes
Young people tell us they benefit from counselling at Beacon’s school services, and do so through increased confidence, self-esteem, and through better relationships. During 2011, Beacon introduced a range of new monitoring tools, which will bring a fuller picture of the impact the service has. Early signs are that the service improves overall levels of well-being, and enables young people to feel more comfortable in themselves, and therefore being more resilient to the pressures of peers and others.

Funding
This service is paid for by the schools themselves, and we are grateful to each school that has chosen to invest in their young people’s mental health and well-being. Beacon has also been contract by Stockport MBC to work in 3 schools that take young people from the priority area of Brinnington during 2011/12.