It turned out with what questions children turn to psychologists

In Russia, they are going to introduce a system of remote psychological assistance for schoolchildren. Psychologists registered on the state portal will be able to consult children online throughout the country. Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov spoke about the new project. It is noted that such a need is ripe, since not all schools have their own psychologists. And now a child even from the most remote village will have access to psychological support. We found out the pros and cons of such assistance to schoolchildren.

Supporters of the project talk about the need to provide the student with qualified psychological assistance in time, which will allow early identification and solution of problems that arise in adolescents.

“We tested a similar project in March in the South Urals, it was called the Trust Mail,” Yana Lantratova, first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Education, told MK. – And this idea was given to us by schoolchildren from Chebarkul (Chelyabinsk region). According to their idea, it was supposed to be a box in which schoolchildren could anonymously (!) put a letter with a story about their problem and their questions, and then get an answer or a consultation from a psychologist. Now Chelyabinsk schoolchildren can confidentially turn to a specialist, talk about what worries or worries them, and receive psychological help and support.

– Do these schoolchildren communicate online with psychologists?

– Online. But if the child asks, then they can contact him by phone or invite him to the office. But I emphasize that almost all students want online. Children are embarrassed to go to a psychologist’s office, and they are especially afraid that other schoolchildren and their friends will find out about this. Yes, in general, the generation of “zoomers” is more comfortable communicating on the Web.

What questions do the guys ask?

– Variety. “My head hurts a lot. Is it from nerves, stress, fatigue? From what?”; “Why, when you communicate with a person and trust and open up to him, and then the person opens up on the other side, and mistrust and quarrels begin? Why are people like this, and how can they be trusted? “I’m afraid that everyone will leave me, and I’ll be left alone.” I suggested that the Ministry of Education make the project federal.

“MK” found out the opinion about this project from the head of the city parent committee of St. Petersburg, Mikhail Bogdanov. In other words, from the user’s point of view…

– Let’s start with the fact that school psychologists are really sorely lacking. Firstly, there are not so many universities that graduate them, and secondly, the salary is small. There are psychologists mainly in schools in large metropolitan areas, where the rates are better, – said Mikhail Bogdanov. – Since there are few such specialists, these positions are often occupied by people who have undergone appropriate retraining, etc. And it often happens that a social teacher or class teacher combines these two positions – but this, in my opinion, is wrong. These are two completely different roles. In one person, these functions should not be combined.

Ideally, if a psychologist is good and understands the specifics of working in an educational organization, then this is a very valuable and useful employee. It is useful for parents, teachers and students. He is like a “lifesaver” in some crisis situations in which children regularly “stumble” while at school. If an educational institution has such a specialist, then there is no need to look for psychologists on the side.

– Maybe in such a situation, online counseling will help?

– I have talked to many psychologists, and they all say that they would not consult remotely, especially a child. This is the same as online treatment, when the patient shows the doctor a sore spot through the screen, and the doctor “makes a diagnosis” at a distance. Or like learning to play the piano online.

Communication between a person and a psychologist, in my opinion and the opinion of many psychologists, should take place “eye to eye”. The work of a psychologist with a schoolchild is always a multifactorial assessment of a child by a specialist, it is a personal, very delicate process. In remote mode, this is hardly possible.

And there are also regulatory frameworks. Psychological support of the child can be carried out only with the consent of the parents, in addition, as in the case of medical secrecy, the secrecy of communication with the psychologist must be maintained: the personal data of the child, the features of his development, etc. must be protected from prying eyes. This should also be taken into account when developing this project.