Ian Tayler

 At the York Youth Council we have created a mental health awareness award scheme for schools.  We call this our ‘Minding Minds’ scheme.  It was created and designed by young people for young people.  It addresses the needs and requests of young people in York.  Obtained from data collected by the York Youth Council.  We are very excited about this award and see it as a fantastic new opportunity for schools around the country.

 To fill the crucial gap that exists in the educational systems.  To encourage schools to support all of their pupils.  To raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing in schools.  To highlight to students, staff and parents the services that are available to them.  We aim to expand the award to cover York.  We also aim to eventually push the award to a regional and national level.

 The Minding Mind school award is set out in levels, bronze, silver and gold.  Each tier has a set of criteria which participants must fulfil to gain the award.  There is a step by step guide which assists schools through the process of obtaining the award.  There is also review that ensures the school has met the correct criteria.

 The structure of the award has been finalised.  We have liaised with Mr Sims, the deputy head of York High, to provide feedback on the needs of schools and the practicality of the award.  We have fully written a step by step review process for the award.  We have decided to test the scheme with a pilot run of the award. York High secondary school has agreed to do this and we hope to roll it out to the rest of York.

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