The Guide programme for schools to launch at key children’s mental health conference

The Guide programme for schools to launch at key children’s mental health conference

• Action for Children to deliver prestigious Canadian initiative in Wales
• Proven scheme to understand mental health and break down stigma

Action for Children will launch The Mental Health & High School Curriculum Guide (The Guide) at the Collaborative Approaches to Improve Mental Health in Schools conference taking place at the All Nations Centre in Cardiff on the 14th December.

Action for Children has been awarded a Welsh Government grant for the delivery of The Guide to all year 9 pupils across Wales at no cost to the schools.

The programme was developed in Canada and provides a complete set of online resources proven to increase the understanding of mental health and mental disorders, decrease the stigma of mental illness and increase the ability to seek help, amongst students and teachers.

The programme will provide a two-day face-to-face professional learning session for three teachers per school, with ongoing back-up support from the team to encourage, develop and embed the Guide within schools.

Chris Dunne, children’s services manager for Action for Children in Powys, said: ‘We’re delighted to be able to launch this crucial tool to improve children’s mental health in Wales at this key gathering of mental health and education professionals. The Guide has been developed to help enhance the mental health knowledge and awareness of students in year 9 when the lifespan in which diagnoses of mental health disorders begins to increase dramatically.

‘Action for Children is at the forefront of innovative mental health solutions at a time when demand on CAMHS services has never been higher. The scope for this project is huge and aims to reach 30,000 Year 9 pupils aged 13-14 as well as 615 teachers throughout all 205 Welsh secondary schools. We are proud Welsh Government recognises Action for Children’s innovative approach and commitment to mental health in selecting us to deliver the Guide.’

Policy Director for the National Association of Head Teachers in Wales, Rob Williams added: ‘Equipping our children and young people with an increased understanding of how best to maintain good mental health and what to do if, like many people, they or their friends and family experience difficulties, is positive not just for their current educational achievement but also for their future lives beyond the school gates.

‘The Guide provides staff and pupils with the opportunity to develop greater confidence about maintaining good mental health and how to seek the right support when facing challenges – a must for every forward-thinking school.’

The full roll-out will begin in the New Year across Welsh schools and is designed to maximise resources and local networking opportunities to promote and embed the programme.