Guidance for using Mentally Healthy Schools
Learn how to use the Mentally Healthy Schools website with our simple guidance.
Guidance for using the website
This website aims to give primary and secondary school staff the information and guidance they need to best support their pupils.
We have put together five separate guides to help school staff and leadership who are new to Mentally Healthy Schools navigate the website and find the information they need.

Guidance for primary schools
I am a primary school teacher, I want to learn more about supporting my whole class.

Guidance for secondary schools
I am a secondary school teacher, I want to learn more about supporting my whole class.

Guidance for senior or mental health leads
I am a member of leadership or the mental health lead and I want to learn how to create a whole-school approach to mental health.

Guidance for supporting a specific student
I am a primary or secondary teacher. I am worried about the mental health and wellbeing of a particular student.

Guidance for supporting parents
I am a teacher and I want to find information to support and signpost parents and carers with their children’s wellbeing.
Guidance for using resources
The activities and resources on Mentally Healthy Schools are intended to support children and young people to develop life skills and coping strategies, and are not intended to be a replacement for therapeutic support.
They may be utilised alongside more specialist support, if suitable, and a co-ordinated response will be needed in this instance, taking into account the perspectives of other professionals and the young person. It is important to take into account your knowledge and experience of the child or young person, as not all activities are suitable for all young people, so your discretion is advised.
Activities that focus on reflection and emotions can increase our sense of awareness of our thoughts and feelings, so it is important to remind children and young people of the support systems that are available to them, both in and out of school, if they need to speak about something or if they require additional support.
This should include both universal support, specialist support and crisis support options, such as helpline numbers. It is important that children and young people understand when and how to access additional support.
We have developed a set of guidelines for primary schools, and for secondary schools and further education settings.

Guidance for using resources (primary)
Guidance for using the primary school resources on Mentally Healthy Schools.

Guidance for using resources (secondary)
Guidance for using the secondary school and FE resources on Mentally Healthy Schools.