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Young people in psychological distress push teachers to their limits. Zurich gymnasiums now rely on school social work.
Some young people describe sleeping or eating disorders. Others talk about depressive moods and a lack of motivation. And sometimes the students talk about family problems in conversations.
“Overall, dealing with stress is a very big issue,” says Isabelle Brechbühl. The school social worker accompanies Zurich high school students. For six months she has been working part-time at the art high school Liceo Artistico.
Breaking the silence for the first time
The Liceo is one of seven high schools in Zurich that offer school social work. This pilot project started last summer. The canton is reacting to psychological violence and bullying in schools. Because according to one In a study, teachers at all levels observe such problems.
In primary schools in Zurich, they are often confronted with physical violence. High school teachers, on the other hand, report more often that students injure themselves. In such cases, school social work should relieve teachers. And support young people.
Legend:
Pupils do not always feel comfortable in the group: teachers also observe incidents of bullying (symbolic image).
Keystone/Gaetan Bally
At the Liceo, Isabelle Brechbühl conducts confidential one-on-one talks with most of the students. “Some tell me that they are talking about their problem for the first time.” Some feel uncomfortable in the class, while others raise questions about meaning.
If someone is in serious need, the school social worker puts a specialist in touch. “But fortunately not every young person needs therapy when they are sad or demotivated.” For some, two sessions can make a difference. The school social worker accompanies others with interruptions for half a year.
Quick help for teachers
According to Brechbühl, the feedback from the young people is positive. “They are happy to be able to deposit their topics in a protected, neutral space.” This way they don’t have to contact colleagues or teachers.
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School social worker Isabelle Brechbühl (left) and Vice President Cinzia Vezzoni are satisfied with the experience so far.
SRF/Nina Thöny
In Switzerland, certain grammar schools have been offering school social work for some time, and other cantons would like to introduce it. “However, they are not planning such comprehensive support as is the case in Zurich,” says Martina Good, co-president of the school social work association.
In Zurich, schools like the Liceo will gain initial experience by 2024. According to this, school social workers are to be employed at all Matura schools. “The Zurich pilot project should provide important insights for further expansion within the canton. And subsequent cantons could use it as a guide,” says Good.
The project costs two million francs, and the canton of Zurich has approved a total of 500 percent of the full-time job. “The time available is a bit tight,” admits Cinzia Vezzoni. The Prorector of the Liceo Artisticos would like to see a higher workload for school social work during the test phase. However, the experiment is already worthwhile today: “The difference to before is that we can get help more quickly and easily.”
Isabelle Brechbühl confirms this impression. In everyday life, teachers often feel insecure when a young person seems sad or is regularly absent from class. “Teachers can easily describe such concerns to us and share their responsibility.” Next steps would be planned together. A session with the young person concerned is not always necessary. Sometimes it is enough to advise the teacher.