Students and staff at two Greater Manchester colleges have been talking about their experiences in a new video by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, which is supporting the city region\u2019s pupils through its mental health in education programme.<\/p>\n
The video really highlighted the pressures on young people, particularly those with additional and more complex needs.<\/p>\n
Sarah Henson, pastoral coach at Worsley College, said: \u201cColleges are a lot more aware of the fact that students need to be supported not only in their education but with everything else that surrounds them in their life. Especially with the effects of COVID-19, people are more anxious.<\/p>\n
\u201cPupils have been at school for so long and it\u2019s very different at high school as there is a lot of structure, they have uniforms and they know what they\u2019re doing and when they are meant to be doing it.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut when it comes to college, they have to decide what they want to do \u2013 the emphasis is on them to make those decisions which can put a lot more pressure on them and it can be a really big step for some people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amy Carrick, student support coordinator at Bridge College in Openshaw, added: \u201cA lot of our learners have quite complex needs which can make transition a worrying time for them, and their families.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s especially worrying if they\u2019re leaving college and transitioning into social care, which is a whole new world for them. So I spend a lot of time easing the anxieties of families.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lucy, a student at Worsley College, explained how she wasn\u2019t sure what she wanted to do with her future and that reaching the transition milestone adds a level of pressure.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cStudents probably realise how quickly time flies by. As soon as you\u2019ve done your exams in Year 11, you\u2019ll have Prom if you decide to go, and before you know it you\u2019re in college. I was 16 when I started here and I wasn\u2019t sure what I wanted to do.\u201d<\/p>\n