6 Ways We’re Empowering Children and Young People with Mental Health Support

Introduction: Schools and colleges serve as vital environments for promoting mental health and well-being among students. Through fostering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, we empower children and young people to navigate their mental health challenges effectively. Here are six initiatives demonstrating our commitment to supporting their mental well-being:

1. Grants for Senior Mental Health Leads: We’re assisting schools and colleges in fostering environments conducive to mental well-being by providing grants to train senior mental health leads. Over 15,000 institutions have availed of this grant, enabling them to enhance their mental health support systems. Additionally, resources such as toolkits and training programs facilitate mental well-being support, emphasizing student voice.

2. Promoting Wellbeing: Emphasizing positive well-being is paramount, alongside supporting those facing mental health issues. Aligning with the NHS’s 5 steps to mental well-being, we encourage schools to engage students in extracurricular activities tailored to their needs, fostering connections, physical activity, skill development, altruism, and mindfulness.

3. Mental Health Support Teams: Expanding the presence of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in schools and colleges is a priority. These teams offer targeted support for common mental health issues and aid institutions in developing comprehensive mental health strategies. By March 2025, we aim to cover at least 50% of pupils and students in England with MHSTs.

4. Teaching Mental Health in Schools: Our Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum integrates mental health education, equipping students to recognize signs of mental health concerns and seek appropriate support. By fostering open dialogue and awareness, we aim to create a supportive environment for mental health discussions.

5. Support for Colleges: Extending support beyond schools, we’ve appointed an FE Student Support Champion to enhance colleges’ capacity to support learners, including addressing mental health challenges. This initiative underscores our commitment to holistic student well-being across educational settings.

6. Assistance with Attendance: Recognizing that mental health issues can impact attendance, we’ve published attendance guidance to facilitate collaboration between schools, parents, and carers. By addressing attendance-related challenges early and providing tailored support, we ensure all students receive the assistance they need to thrive.

Conclusion: By prioritizing mental health support in educational settings, we empower children and young people to navigate their mental well-being effectively. Through collaborative efforts, including grants, mental health teams, curriculum integration, and attendance support, we foster environments conducive to student flourishing and holistic development.