Mental Health Issues: The Role of Schools Dr Pooky Knightsmith Director: children, young people & schools Charlie Waller Memorial Trust Write notes here

@PookyH @charliewtrust

PhD in child and adolescent mental health Focus on practical strategies Consultation with young people, their parents and the staff who work with them ‘Lived experience’

How can you tell if someone has mental health issues?

Isolated / withdrawn Low self-esteem Accidental? Likely story? Repeated? Physical injuries Personality change Neglect Change in appetite Change in sleep Unhappy

Easy to miss warning signs Abuse or self-abuse? Easy to miss warning signs Physical Health Behaviour Change Late / Absent Academic Change

But sometimes…

Pastoral Teaching The role of the School

Pastoral The role of the School

1. Policies & Procedures

Policy Is it relevant? Is it practical? Do people use it? Are staff named? Link

2. Skills Development

3. Collaboration

Teaching The role of the School

Teach & Train about it Teach pupils Train staff Parent workshops Link

Keeping it safe… 1 2 3 Design activities for the most vulnerable pupil Consider age & stage of this class Design activities for the most vulnerable pupil Signpost sources of support: What, How & Why

Lovely Free Stuff from CWMT…

Free Book Club for School Mental Health Leads inourhands.com/bookclub @CharlieWTrust | @PookyH

Mental Health: Weekly Online Learning for Staff working with CYP inourhands.com/onlinelearning @CharlieWTrust | @PookyH

@CharlieWTrust | @PookyH Mental Health: Free training and workshops for school staff, pupils and parents inourhands.com/cwmt @CharlieWTrust | @PookyH

In Summary:

STOP box ticking Develop meaningful and relevant policies and procedures with CYP at their heart

Connect, collaborate and move forwards together LOOK around you Connect, collaborate and move forwards together

LISTEN to CYP Every child has a right to feel listened to. Five minutes in your busy day can be transformative for a child in need.

pooky@cwmt.org @PookyH