6 Teaching Resources for Young People’s Mental Health - #WorldHealthDay

Today is World Health Day and this year’s focus is depression. The number of people living with depression worldwide has increased by over 18% between 2005 and 2015. 

Mixed anxiety & depression is the most common mental disorder in Britain, with 7.8% of people meeting criteria for diagnosis. 4% to 10% of people in England will experience depression in their lifetime and it is estimated that 1 in 6 people in the past week experienced a common mental health problem.

Mental health issues are a growing public health concern and are prevalent in the UK and around the world. How can we raise awareness of this growing concern and encourage people to talk? 

Pooky Knightsmith is the Director of the Children, Young People & Schools Programme at the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust and her vision is to ensure:

‘A world where people understand and talk openly about depression, where young people know how to maintain wellbeing, and where the most appropriate treatment is available to everyone who needs it.’ 

Targeting young people in schools is beneficial as it is important they understand that talking is key to helping them overcome daily stresses and worries before developing worse symptoms. 

If we can encourage young people to talk more then over the years we can help reduce the number of adults being diagnosed with mental health problems.

Below are a range of free resources for schools to use to help raise awareness of mental health in schools and to reduce the above statistics:  

1) Mental Health Training

This includes Primary and secondary school FREE sessions on a range of mental health issues in the form of assemblies, PSHE classes, workshops etc. 

2) Resources

Obtain free booklets, leaflets, posters on mental health issues.

3) Webinars

Weekly free webinars are available about children and young people’s mental health. They can be shared or adapted however you like. Find all recorded sessions here.

30-minute sessions every Tuesday during term time – for staff working with children and young people.

4) Podcasts

Learn about Pooky’s ideas and experiences regarding mental health, including interviews from inspirational people in the children and young people field. 

5) Book Club

Teachers can improve their skills, confidence and knowledge with these free termly books and accompanying resources to promote positive mental health in your school.

6) Mental Health Conferences

Enhance your school's staff knowledge, attitudes, skills, understanding and confidence on children’s mental health issues with these free one-day conferences. Delegates will take away practical strategies, resources, examples of best practice, and information about the work and resources of relevant charities and organisations, to help them support schools and their pupils with issues of emotional wellbeing.

I hope the above resources are useful and helps support effective learning of children and young people's mental health in your school. You can learn more about Pooky’s work here.

Don’t miss out on promoting your school with our, I’m in charge campaign, coming soon. Childrens' ideas will be brought to life in the winner’s school. 

Sources:

http://www.inourhands.com/freestuff/ 

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-most-common-mental-health-problems

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-uk-and-worldwide