Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing in schools | NSPCC Learning Podcast

Summary

This podcast episode, recorded in February 2023, focuses on mental health in schools and educational settings. It highlights the critical role schools play in identifying, supporting, and preventing mental health issues from escalating into safeguarding concerns. Experts from Place2Be and Childline discuss the challenges young people face, including anxiety, self-harm, and the impact of adverse childhood experiences. The episode also explores practical strategies for fostering a supportive mental health culture in schools, offering resources and training for professionals, and emphasizing the importance of early intervention and clear communication with students and families.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mental health is as important to a child's well-being as their physical health, with mental health problems affecting all aspects of their life and potentially leading to safeguarding concerns.
• 😀 In 2022, one in six children in England, aged 7 to 16 years, had a probable mental health condition, with mental health being the leading concern for children contacting Childline.
• 😀 Education professionals are in a prime position to identify and support children's mental health needs, helping to prevent more serious issues from escalating.
• 😀 Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as exposure to violence or being a caregiver for a parent, can contribute to mental health struggles in young people.
• 😀 Professionals should be aware of the signs of mental health struggles in children, including changes in behavior, withdrawal, or poor academic performance.
• 😀 It's essential for educators to avoid diagnosing mental health conditions themselves and instead ask open-ended questions and offer support as children may take time to open up.
• 😀 A mental health issue becomes a safeguarding concern when there's a risk of harm to the child, including self-harm or suicidal ideation.
• 😀 Childline uses a mental health continuum model to help counselors assess young people's mental health, ranging from 'doing okay' to being in a crisis where immediate safeguarding is required.
• 😀 Schools play a vital role in promoting mental health by creating a supportive environment where it's safe for students to talk about their well-being, including mental health workshops and in-house counseling services.
• 😀 To effectively support students, schools should ensure staff receive mental health training and foster a culture where mental health conversations are normalized and supported by both the school and parents.
• 😀 Professionals should use various tools and resources to continue building their knowledge of mental health, including NSPCC learning resources and mental health training courses for staff.

Q & A

Why is mental health as important as physical health for children?

Mental health is equally important to a child's safety and well-being because it affects all aspects of their life. Poor mental health can lead to emotional difficulties and, in some cases, escalate into safeguarding and child protection concerns.

What are some of the common mental health issues children are facing today?

Children today are facing a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, self-harming behaviors, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and difficulties related to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as social isolation.

How prevalent are mental health issues among children in England?

According to data from NHS Digital, in 2022, one in six children aged 7 to 16 years in England had a probable mental health condition.

How can education professionals help identify children with mental health concerns?

Education professionals can observe changes in behavior such as withdrawal, sleeping problems, poor academic performance, or sudden mood shifts. They should also remain attentive to signs of anxiety or self-harming behaviors.

When does a mental health concern escalate into a safeguarding issue?

A mental health concern escalates into a safeguarding issue when a child is at risk of harm, either from self-harming behaviors, suicidal ideation, or being exposed to abuse or neglect. In such cases, professionals must take immediate action to protect the child.

What is the mental health continuum model, and how does it work?

The mental health continuum model is a tool used to assess a young person's mental health on a spectrum. It categorizes mental health from general well-being, where a person experiences normal ups and downs, to crisis, where the person is at risk of harm or experiencing severe mental health issues.

What role do schools play in supporting children's mental health?

Schools play a vital role by creating an environment where mental health is openly discussed, offering counseling services, and educating both students and parents about mental health. Early intervention in schools can prevent issues from escalating into more serious mental health or safeguarding concerns.

What strategies can schools use to foster a supportive mental health culture?

Schools can foster a supportive mental health culture by offering mental health workshops, reducing stigma, listening attentively to students' concerns, and ensuring there are clear channels for students to access help. It's also important to create a safe and open space where students can express themselves.

How can schools effectively respond when a child’s mental health becomes a safeguarding concern?

Schools should follow safeguarding protocols by ensuring that all staff are trained in mental health awareness. If a child’s mental health is a safeguarding concern, the school must involve appropriate professionals, such as child protection agencies, and continue to offer support while waiting for external services to intervene.

What resources are available for education professionals to improve their understanding of mental health?

Education professionals can access resources like the NSPCC’s e-learning courses on mental health and safeguarding, as well as training on recognizing and managing mental health concerns. The NSPCC provides a wealth of online resources, including mental health awareness training and specific courses for senior leadership teams and staff.