Lucy Rose’s Post

SEL and mental health are at the forefront of education. How is your school supporting educators and students in the upcoming school year?

Very glad to see how the Department for Education is stepping up and empowering the mental health of our young people, recognising the importance of including young people’s voices in all our initiatives, embedding psychoeducation in our curriculums, as well as the central importance of shifting the whole school and college culture! Here’s a quick summary of their 6 areas of focus: 1️⃣ Offering grants for Senior Mental Health Leads in schools and colleges. 2️⃣ Promoting overall wellbeing with activities and NHS-recommended steps. 3️⃣ Expanding Mental Health Support Teams to support and guide. 4️⃣ Integrating mental health education into the curriculum. 5️⃣ Extending resources and support to colleges. 6️⃣ Aiming to improve attendance for students facing mental health challenges. What are your thoughts on these areas and where do we need further support? 🔗Useful links: • Guidance on how to apply for the Senior MH lead training grant/what settings are eligible (which includes links to the relevant application portals) is here https://lnkd.in/eD92v2qq • A good summary of all the work DfE does in this space, and signposts to DfE MHWB resources & tools for schools/collegehttps://lnkd.in/eiGj_VvU • Further reading on the 6 ways the Department of Education is supporting children and young people https://lnkd.in/eV23Ay7G #MentalHealth #YouthMentalHealth #Education #DepartmentofEducation #GovernmentSupport

Reimagining the Classroom: Bridging Gaps in Mental Health Part 3 Involving Families and the Community Family and community involvement is critical for a holistic approach to mental health. Schools can facilitate this by: - Parent Education Programs: Offering workshops and resources to educate parents about mental health, including how to support their children and recognize signs of mental health issues. - Community Partnerships: Engaging with community organizations to create a network of support for students and their families, ensuring that help is available both within and outside the school setting. - Regular Communication: Maintaining open lines of communication between the school and families, providing updates on mental health initiatives and available resources. Measuring and Evaluating Impact To ensure that mental health initiatives are effective, schools need to establish mechanisms for measuring and evaluating their impact. This can include: -Surveys and Feedback: Conducting regular surveys to gather feedback from students, parents, and staff about the mental health programs and their effectiveness. -Tracking Outcomes: Monitoring key indicators such as attendance rates, academic performance, and incidence of behavioral issues to assess the impact of mental health initiatives. - Continuous Improvement: Using the data collected to make informed decisions about how to improve and expand mental health programs. Bridging gaps in mental health within the educational system is an ongoing and multifaceted effort. By implementing comprehensive mental health education, creating supportive environments, training staff, integrating mental health services, involving families and the community, and continuously evaluating the impact, schools can significantly enhance the mental well-being of their students. These efforts not only help students succeed academically but also equip them with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges, fostering a healthier, more resilient generation. Stay tuned for Part 4, where we will explore case studies of schools that have successfully implemented these strategies and share insights from educators and mental health professionals on the front lines of this vital work.

"Poor mental health over time is associated with higher levels of persistent absence," so how can we ensure students' wellbeing is supported at school? Recently, Place2Be convened a roundtable of experts to discuss persistent absence in schools, sharing examples, stories, and solutions from their work with young people, supported by experience in schools, and led by evidence. We are pleased to read this new report, signed by twenty leading organisations from across the education, mental health, research, policy, and the third sector, which highlights key steps needed to turn the tide on the school absence crisis: https://lnkd.in/eW_MksDw Ultimately, we need to reform school culture to make it an inclusive place where children want to be, work collaboratively with families, and enable timely support to address drivers of school absences, poor mental health, and illness. #VCSE #MentalHealth #CYPMH Children and Young People's Mental Health Coalition (CYPMHC) Centre for Mental Health University of Cambridge AllChild (Formerly West London Zone) Anna Freud Barnardo's Confederation of School Trusts Greenhouse Sports National Children's Bureau National Governance Association Unity Schools Partnership

🤔 Have you considered the long-term impact of integrating mental health education into our school curricula? As a mental health therapist in training, who has journeyed through the realms of education and technology, I've witnessed a crucial gap in our schooling system. It's the absence of structured mental health education, a gap that, if filled, could profoundly reshape the future well-being of our society. From my experience as a Dean of Students, I saw daily the struggles students face: anxiety, stress, social pressures. Yet, there was a noticeable lack of resources and knowledge to address these issues effectively within the school environment. This isn’t just about adding another subject to the timetable; it's about equipping our future generations with tools to navigate life's complexities. ✨ Integrating Mental Health into the Fabric of Education: Imagine a curriculum where discussions on emotional well-being are as routine as math lessons. Where students learn resilience, emotional intelligence, and stress management alongside history and science. It’s about normalizing these conversations, making mental health a fundamental part of their educational journey. ✨ The Role of Educators: Teachers are often the first to notice changes in a student's behavior. With proper training in mental health, they can identify early signs of distress and provide appropriate guidance or referrals. This doesn’t mean teachers become therapists but rather informed supporters in their students' mental health journey. ✨ Building a Supportive Community: By involving parents and guardians, we extend the conversation beyond the classroom. Workshops, seminars, and open dialogues can engage the entire school community, fostering a unified approach to student well-being. ✨ The Long-Term Impact: Students equipped with mental health knowledge and coping mechanisms are more likely to excel academically, develop healthier relationships, and transition into well-adjusted adults. This education extends beyond personal benefits; it cultivates a healthier, more empathetic society. 🚀 Let's join forces to bring this critical education to our schools. For small businesses, community organizations, and schools looking to be part of this transformative movement, I invite you to collaborate with me. Together, we can pioneer change and create a more mentally resilient future generation. - - - 💻 Ready to take the next step? Visit https://lnkd.in/eG_xFEwE to learn how we can integrate mental health education into your curriculum and community. #MentalHealthInSchools #EducationalInnovation #FutureReady 🌱 What are your thoughts on making mental health education a standard in schools? Let's discuss and drive change! 🌱

🤔 Have you considered the long-term impact of integrating mental health education into our school curricula? As a mental health therapist in training, who has journeyed through the realms of education and technology, I've witnessed a crucial gap in our schooling system. It's the absence of structured mental health education, a gap that, if filled, could profoundly reshape the future well-being of our society. From my experience as a Dean of Students, I saw daily the struggles students face: anxiety, stress, social pressures. Yet, there was a noticeable lack of resources and knowledge to address these issues effectively within the school environment. This isn’t just about adding another subject to the timetable; it's about equipping our future generations with tools to navigate life's complexities. ✨ Integrating Mental Health into the Fabric of Education: Imagine a curriculum where discussions on emotional well-being are as routine as math lessons. Where students learn resilience, emotional intelligence, and stress management alongside history and science. It’s about normalizing these conversations, making mental health a fundamental part of their educational journey. ✨ The Role of Educators: Teachers are often the first to notice changes in a student's behavior. With proper training in mental health, they can identify early signs of distress and provide appropriate guidance or referrals. This doesn’t mean teachers become therapists but rather informed supporters in their students' mental health journey. ✨ Building a Supportive Community: By involving parents and guardians, we extend the conversation beyond the classroom. Workshops, seminars, and open dialogues can engage the entire school community, fostering a unified approach to student well-being. ✨ The Long-Term Impact: Students equipped with mental health knowledge and coping mechanisms are more likely to excel academically, develop healthier relationships, and transition into well-adjusted adults. This education extends beyond personal benefits; it cultivates a healthier, more empathetic society. 🚀 Let's join forces to bring this critical education to our schools. For small businesses, community organizations, and schools looking to be part of this transformative movement, I invite you to collaborate with me. Together, we can pioneer change and create a more mentally resilient future generation. - - - 💻 Ready to take the next step? Visit https://lnkd.in/eG_xFEwE to learn how we can integrate mental health education into your curriculum and community. #MentalHealthInSchools #EducationalInnovation #FutureReady 🌱 What are your thoughts on making mental health education a standard in schools? Let's discuss and drive change! 🌱

I recently had the privilege of leading a session for school staff on the topic "Prioritising Mental Health and Wellbeing in Schools." While this is a session I have held in schools a number of times, this particular session has prompted this post. Having worked in the school system for about six years now, there are a few things worth putting out here for other school leaders to discuss or include. In recent times, there has been a growing emphasis on the mental health and wellbeing of school staff. This shift recognises that a supportive workplace environment is not just beneficial but essential, because when staff members are mentally healthy and feel supported, they are better equipped to carry out their safeguarding responsibilities effectively and safely. There are several actions that schools can take to create an environment that prioritises sound mental health, but I will share a few. The first is to provide access to mental health resources. According to the Education Support Partnership, 59% of staff have considered leaving the sector in the past academic year due to pressures on their mental health. Which means, if schools can ensure staff have access to counselling services and mental health services, this would greatly improve their work experience, and in turn help the children they work with. The next is regular training and development. Offering regular professional development opportunities focused on mental health awareness and coping strategies may result in significant improvements in staff wellbeing and student outcomes. Furthermore, schools can implement policies to manage workloads effectively to help prevent burnout and stress. This is because stress which often results in depression, or anxiety is a contributing factor to declining staff mental health. My training session was not only focused on school staff improving their mental health, but also on how to support the mental health of children in their care. However, I thought to outline these key factors as strategies to support school staff. Have you tried these strategies as a school leader? Also, as a school staff member, do you think these would help you? #MentalHealth

🌟𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐌.𝐘.𝐓.𝐄 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐊, 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧? 🌟   This is a great initiative that you can also utilise in your school, to help support children and teachers alike! Supporting children's mental health and wellbeing in schools is crucial. Here are some effective ways, in the meantime, to help the children in your school: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: Encourage children to recognise and express their feelings in a safe and supportive environment 🫶 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬: Equip teachers with resources and training on mental health awareness to support students 📑 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬: Establish safe spaces within schools where children can go to relax, talk to a trusted adult, or simply take a break 🏫 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬: Teach children practical coping skills such as mindfulness exercises, deep breathing techniques, or journaling 📖 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲: Promote physical activities and exercise, which can have positive effects on mental health and overall wellbeing 🏋️ 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬: Support positive relationships among students and between students and teachers. This can create a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation 👥 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭: Take proactive measures to prevent bullying and address conflicts promptly and effectively 🤝 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬: Keep parents informed about their child's mental health and involve them in supporting their child's wellbeing 👪 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: Ensure access to school counsellors, psychologists, or other mental health professionals who can provide support and intervention when needed 🧑🏫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: Foster a school culture that values mental health and wellbeing, where seeking help is encouraged and stigma is reduced ☺️ By implementing these strategies, schools can play a vital role in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children, ultimately contributing to their overall academic and personal success. If you are interested in working with us, to support our mission of helping as many children as possible, contact us on 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨@𝐦𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.𝐜𝐨𝐦 or visit our website 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐦𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.𝐜𝐨𝐦 for more information. Lets spread the word and help children better support themselves for a brighter future! #MentalHealthMatters #KidsMentalHealth #SupportingStudents #Socialandemotionallearning #MindfulnessInSchools #EmotionalWellbeing #PositiveSchoolClimate #TraumaInformed #ResilienceBuilding #EducatorWellness

Are Australian Schools Equipped to Handle the Growing Mental Health Crisis Among Students? In recent years, mental health issues among school-age children have been on the rise. But are our Australian schools ready to address this growing crisis? Psychologist Jonathan Haidt, co-author of "The Coddling of the American Mind," highlights several contributing factors, including social media, increased academic pressure, and reduced opportunities for unstructured play and social interaction. These factors are creating a perfect storm, leading to heightened anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems in our kids. The Challenges Australian Schools Face: Many schools in Australia are struggling to keep up with the demand for mental health support. Here are some of the key challenges: Understaffed Counselling Services - the recommended student-to-counsellor ratio is 500:1 in Australia. Majority of schools fall short of this recommendation, leaving many kids without the help they need. Limited Resources - A survey by the Australian Principals Federation found that 84% of principals felt their school was under-resourced in mental health support. High Teacher Workloads - Teachers are already overburdened with academic responsibilities, making it difficult for them to provide the additional emotional support students might need. The Path Forward Advocate for More Resources - Push for more funding and resources dedicated to mental health support in schools. Promote Mental Health Education - Encourage schools to integrate mental health education into their curriculum Foster Open Communication - Create a culture of openness where students feel safe to talk about their mental health. Support Teachers and Staff - Professional development in mental health literacy can empower educators to identify and support students in need. What Can Parents Do? Parents play a crucial role in supporting their children’s mental health. Here are some actionable steps parents can take: Open Communication Monitor Social Media Use Encourage Healthy Habits Model Resilience and Coping Skills Seek Professional Help When Needed Support Their Interests Be Involved in Their Education Jonathan Haidt's insights remind us that addressing the mental health crisis in schools is a collective effort. By advocating for better resources, promoting mental health education, and fostering open communication, we can help create a supportive environment for our children. Parents, educators, and communities must work together to ensure our Australian schools are equipped to handle this crisis and support the well-being of our students. #MentalHealth #SchoolSupport #JonathanHaidt #StudentWellBeing #ParentingTips #AustralianSchools

The learning outcomes are aligned with the eight principles outlined by Public Health England (PHE) and the Department for Education (DfE) in their Promoting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing: A whole-school or college approach publication. Upon completion of the programme, leads will be able to:👇🏼 ➖Leadership and management: Champion efforts to promote and support mental health and wellbeing, bringing about strategic change to deliver a practical whole-school approach. ➖Identifying need and monitoring impact of interventions: Understand and plan appropriate responses to pupils’ mental health and wellbeing needs. ➖Targeted support and appropriate referrals: Ensure children and young people can get timely and appropriate support. ➖Staff development: Support their own mental health and wellbeing, and that of their pupils. ➖Creating an ethos and environment that promotes respect and values diversity: Promote respect and value diversity. ➖Enabling student voice: Ensure the voice of every pupil is heard and valued, and influence decisions. ➖Working with parents, families and carers: Ensure everyone works as a team around the pupils, with a consistent of approach and shared aims and strategies. ➖Curriculum, teaching and learning: Promote resilience and support social and emotional learning. 🔗https://lnkd.in/eE-qXX8D Marius Frank 🥊 Nic “Inclusion Revolution” Ponsford FRSA 🟪 Image Description: a group of people sitting around a table with laptops and iPads with the caption raising attainment with wellbeingand the sub caption raising attainment with wellbeing (raw) for senior mental health leaders (SMHLs) #Education #MentalHealth #Support #Programme #Signup #RaisingAttainmentWithWellbeing