Supporting Mental Health in Schools

Mental health and wellbeing are just as important for students as physical wellness. Children who are in good mental health can learn more effectively, are equipped to deal with the challenges of daily life, and grow into young adults who are resilient and capable. In the long run, good mental health and wellbeing for students translates into a better life as adults, with a firm foundation established that can lead to success in life and work. The government has put programmes into place to facilitate support for children and young people’s mental health through the schools, and here at Lichfield Cathedral School, we approach this necessity from a few different angles.

What is Meant By Mental Health?

Sometimes, there is confusion around the discussion of mental health and wellbeing. The term ‘mental health’ is often taken to mean mental ill-being, rather than mental wellness. Mental health is the ability to experience a heightened capacity for personal wellbeing and thrive in life. When children and young people are supported in developing positive mental health, they become self-aware people who can flourish in all that they do. Unfortunately, because of the confusion surrounding the terminology of mental health, many young people do not develop strategies to help them increase their own wellbeing, and this puts them at risk of developing mental health problems like depression and anxiety. The mental health of teenagers has been declining for several years and was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and schools are playing a vital role in creating a culture of connection, belonging and safety to promote wellbeing.

How Schools Can Help Promote Student Health and Wellbeing

Fortunately, there has recently been a higher focus on mental health awareness, working to remove the stigma and encourage people to seek help and gain access to support when they are struggling. This approach has gained traction through campaigns like Mental Health Awareness Day and Children’s Mental Health Week, helping to facilitate these goals. Because good mental health and wellbeing are essential for student success, schools are providing safe environments and helpful information, as well as promoting strategies for positive thinking and resilience. Schools that strive to create a positive culture, where teachers, support staff and students all feel valued and respected, can foster a sense of wellbeing and connection that supports everyone’s mental health.

NHS Guidelines for Mental Health Support

NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Department for Education, supported by Health Education England, Public Health England and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities have developed a collaborative programme, partly to establish Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in educational settings in order to provide evidence-based interventions to support students’ mental health and wellbeing. The creation of MHSTs is meant to improve access to mental health support, and help schools and colleges to develop a whole school or college approach. These teams also advise school and college staff, as well as liaising with external specialists to help provide support and facilitate education.

Government Resources for Whole School Mental Health and Wellbeing

The whole school or whole college approach is based on the following eight principles:

1. An environment and ethos promoting respect and valuing diversity
2. Leadership that champions and supports the promotion of emotional health and wellbeing
3. Staff development aimed at supporting staff and student wellbeing
4. Curriculum that promotes resilience and supports social and emotional learning
5. Empowering student voice to influence decisions
6. Providing interventions based on identified need and monitoring the impact of these interventions
7. Appropriate referral and targeted support
8. Partnering with parents and carers

Government support for schools working to develop a whole school or college approach is available at the mental health lead resource hub. Some of the resources available at the hub include the targeted support toolkit, to assist schools in developing targeted support for students with mental health, social, or emotional wellbeing needs; a teaching blog with information on student and staff mental health; and a list of senior mental health lead training courses. Additionally, all students are taught about issues related to mental health and wellness as part of their RSE (relationships and sex education and health education) curriculum.

How Lichfield Cathedral School Supports Students’ Mental Health and Wellbeing

At Lichfield Cathedral School, our support of our students is a natural outgrowth of our overall philosophy. Because we seek to nurture and guide each unique child, we have measures in place to help them succeed, in school and in life. All of our students have Wellbeing and RSE lessons, taught by teachers who are dedicated to supporting students’ wellbeing. In these lessons, students are enabled to discuss and voice their questions and opinions in a safe, relaxed environment. Wellbeing/RSE lessons are developmentally appropriate and cover a wide range of topics that include emotional, spiritual and physical health, healthy living, and preparing for the future. Additionally, because of our foundation in the Christian faith, we provide pastoral care to nurture and support our students in every aspect of their wellbeing. Our teaching and support staff are encouraged to build strong bonds with the students and many have been trained in counselling. Form Tutors, the first point of contact for parents, directly monitor each student’s wellbeing and provide support and intervention as soon as a problem or need arises. The Pastoral Team, Heads of Year, Chaplaincy Team, Matrons and School Nurse also play important roles in pastoral care, helping to promote the personal development of each student, with continuity of care that enables children to thrive.

Bright Futures Are Launched at Lichfield Cathedral School

At Lichfield Cathedral School, we embrace an educational philosophy grounded in the knowledge that each pupil is unique, with different talents and distinct qualities. We are committed to instilling a love of learning and a strong ethical foundation in an inclusive community founded on Christian ideals of faith, learning, leadership, and service. Every child matters to us, and our pupils are nurtured and guided, encouraged to choose their own pathways and perform to the best of their ability, not only in the classroom but in every aspect of life. Our pupils develop personal skills like self-confidence, resilience, responsibility, and self-discipline, as well as excellent reasoning skills. We provide them with a strong academic foundation that allows them to excel academically, co-curricular activities to help them discover their talents and gifts, and a supportive atmosphere where they learn to be good citizens and compassionate people. To learn more about our vision or to discuss enrolling your child at Lichfield Cathedral School, contact us through our website.