Three-quarters of schools have reported an increase in the number of students seeking counselling in the past year - with 40 percent of schools describing it as a significant increase.
According to the survey - just released by the social services provider Barnardos - this is due to financial pressures, unstable home environments, bullying, and worries about the future.
Barnardos found while schools were working hard to help students .. resources were lacking, with only 55 percent of schools having a counsellor on site, usually for 1 or 2 days a week, and principals reporting as many as half of their students would benefit from help if it were available.
Schools say a lack of funding is the biggest barrier to getting more counsellors on site.
Matt Reid is the chief executive of Barnardos and we'll talk also to Dave Lamont who is the principal of Koraunui School in Stokes Valley.
Children in a classroom learning. Photo: UnSplash/ Taylor Flowe
