Guidance for using Mentally Healthy Schools

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 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.