– Now we see that some of those who are being treated have been affected by the strike and the abnormal everyday life that came at the peak of the pandemic, says head of the department for children and young people’s mental health (ABUP) at Telemark Hospital, Ove Kleppa. – They have gotten worse recently, he says. After four weeks, the department feels that the loss of school provision affects children and young people who suffered psychological problems during the corona pandemic. They are not surprised, says Kleppa. – We see that when you don’t have the routines to go to and the fixed framework, it will turn out negatively for some. We see that in several cases, so it was not entirely unexpected, he says. Concerned about development The number of referrals to the department increased by 30 per cent during the corona pandemic, figures from Health South-East showed last autumn. The consequences for children and young people only became apparent after a while. Now ABUP fears that the same will happen with the strike. – On top of two years of a pandemic with a large increase in referrals to our department, it is worrying that you see a negative trend again, says Kleppa. It is too early to say whether the teachers’ strike has affected the number of new referrals, he adds. Has notified internally The department has notified the concern internally at the hospital. They are also considering notifying the State Administrator and Health South-East if the trend continues. NOTIFIED INTERNALLY: The department for children and young people’s mental health at Telemark Hospital has notified internally of its concern about the consequences of the teachers’ strike. Photo: Britt Boyesen – If it becomes more serious in the individual cases, that there is a danger to life and health and will affect to a large extent, weight will be added, says Kleppa. So far, only pupils in Porsgrunn municipality have been affected by the strike in Vestfold and Telemark. If the strike is extended, the consequences could increase in scope. – It is clear that there is a concern when you see the negative development in some cases due to strikes. If this will apply to more people and drag on over time, we are concerned that it will have negative consequences in the future, says Kleppa. Eating disorders among young people increased during the corona pandemic. The teachers’ strike has also had a negative impact on this group. – It is particularly the loss of social arenas, fixed frameworks and having something to go to that has an impact, says the manager at ABUP. Concerned State administrators throughout the country have been tasked by the Directorate of Education to survey the consequences of the teachers’ strike for pupils, especially those with special needs. In Vestfold and Telemark, the State Administrator has received some reports of concern from parents in Porsgrunn, says assistant director for education, Petter Andersen. In this municipality, there are hardly any schools with teaching now, he points out. Pupils in graduating classes who will have their exams in the spring may have already lost more than 10 per cent of their annual number of hours, Andersen points out. – It is clear that it is a demanding situation, he says. He points out that the municipality is trying to set up social meeting places for students who need it. – There is a lot to deal with when the strike ends, he says.
ttn-69
Now the hospital notices that the school strike has consequences – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
