NCB launches mental health toolkit for schools
Jess Brown
Monday, October 24, 2016
A charity has created a toolkit for school leaders on how to work together to tackle the "rapidly changing and demanding pressures and expectations" they face.
The National Children's Bureau's (NCB) online toolkit advises that schools must identify how they prevent, identify and respond to the mental health problems of their staff and students through a targeted approach for individuals, and promote wellbeing through a universal approach.
Earlier this year an NCB and Association of School College Lecturers (ASCL) survey of school leaders reported more than half (55 per cent) had seen a large increase in anxiety or stress, while 79 per cent reported an increase in self-harm or suicidal thoughts among students.
The NCB said the aim of the toolkit is to encourage the schools to come together to combat and prevent mental health issues in students and staff, helping them to build on and develop existing practices, identify and implement new programmes, set priorities and evaluate the new ways of working.
The toolkit, A Whole School Framework for Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health, recommends schools:
- Use a whole-school approach, which includes all parts of the school organisation working together
- Raise staff awareness about the widespread nature of mental health problems in children and young people, and the school's responsibility to identify them and intervene early
- Teach social and emotional skills, and attitudes and values, through interactive methods and using well-trained and enthusiastic teachers
- Provide targeted work on social and emotional skill development for pupils in difficulty, including one-to-one and group work
- Take steps to understand the root causes of pupils' bad behaviour
Enver Solomon, director of external affairs at the NCB, said: "The toolkit is an accessible easy-to-follow guide that will help schools improve the mental health and wellbeing of all pupils.
"We know supporting children and young people's emotional health contributes to a positive academic environment. It can enhance attainment levels, reduce exclusions, and re-engage students who may have experienced problems."
