This SIG brings together academics, practitioners and others who have a shared interest in mental health and wellbeing in relation to education. Within this special interest area, it aims to:

• raise awareness of and promote mental health and wellbeing in education at all levels
• encourage and support research;
• create a dynamic forum for discussion of pertinent issues, knowledge exchange and critical engagement;
• facilitate networking and information-sharing and provide a forum of support;
• influence policy and practice

The Mental Health, Wellbeing and Education SIG complements the current range by offering a unique space to focus specifically on mental health and wellbeing issues in education. Moreover, as mental health and wellbeing pervade many aspects of education, there is the opportunity to link with some of the other SIGS and foster relevant collaborations.

News

Mental Health on Record: A film created by young people

‘Mental Health on Record’ is a stop-motion animation film made by a group of young people which explores how contemporary views on mental health can be used to interpret historical records from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The project was run by the Education team at the National Archives in partnership with Richmond Borough Mind.

This film can be used to support KS3 and KS4 Health Education elements of the PSHE curriculum. You can view the video in full by following the link below and explore the lesson activities provided on the National Archives web pages: https://nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/mental-health-on-record/

Follow this link to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcl1kIjAfGk&feature=emb_title

Looking after your self-ie: A guide to finding your balance on and offline
The Royal Society for Public health (RSPH) has developed a free, open access e-learning Looking after your self-ie: A guide to finding your balance on and offline, which aims to help social media users to build a meaningful, more balanced relationship with platforms. The programme focusses on awareness-raising; encouraging meaningful use by educating users on the potential harms and benefits of social media. Relevant to members of the public of all ages, the resource explores social media’s impact on loneliness, relationships, self-image, self-esteem, sleep, online trolling and bullying. To access the guide, click on the following link: http://www.rsph.org.uk/socialmediaelearning

Useful Links

• Relationships and Sex Education new curriculum guidance – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/908013/Relationships_Education__Relationships_and_Sex_Education__RSE__and_Health_Education.pdf
• https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/transforming-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-provision-a-green-paper
• Mental health foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work
• Mental health: One in four young women struggling –  22 November 2018 – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46295719
• Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2017 [PAS] https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-of-children-and-young-people-in-england/2017/2017
• Break the stigma https://www.breakthestigma.org/
• Thorley, C. (2017) Not by Degrees: Improving students mental health in the UK’s universities, IPPR,  http://www.ippr.org/research/publications/not-by-degrees

• Mental Health Awareness Week – Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from 10-16 May 2021. The theme is ‘Nature’.

  https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

  Prince’s Trust Youth Index Report https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/about-the-trust/research-policies-reports/youth-index-2018

• Mind your head evaluation report
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-49689893
• Royal College of Psychiatrists report on technology use and the mental health of children and young people

Twitter: @EdandHealth

Mental Health, Wellbeing and Education Newsletters