Mental health has emerged as a major concern among adolescents who have lost their fathers, with the founder-director of the FMH Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, Faith Marshall-Harris, saying the charity has seen increased demand for counselling among children dealing with grief.

“One of the biggest concerns we have in helping is with mental health,” Marshall-Harris said, reporting that the greatest need during the current back-to-school campaign is among children transitioning from primary to secondary school.

But she also noted that the charity is also responding to emotional and mental health challenges among children who have recently experienced the loss of their fathers.