• Question: Do you think that mental health is talked about a lot in schools or do you feel this could be improved?

    Asked by anon-184232 to Nathan, Lorna on 5 Nov 2018.
    • Photo: Nathan Hook

      Nathan Hook answered on 5 Nov 2018:

      I don’t visit schools so I don’t know how much is it talked out generally. I suspect it could be talked about more, but then there is a lot of things that could be talked about more.

      The primary function of school is to educate. While they can help with health issues (like tackle childhood obesity) it’s not their prime function. Parents/guardians need to take responsibility to deveop their children in such topics, either personally or by arranging other opportunities. For example, as a teenager I was in a scout unit, did the Duke of Edinburgh award, and went to a historical tabletop wargames group each week. This can be wider contact is important for personal development. These days it’s also easy for people to access information – you want to know something you can google it in seconds. Imagine what it was like growing up before that.

Comments

  • Photo: Tom

    Tom commented on :

    It is talked about on the pshe curriculum, however not in any great detail. I am currently involved in a research project with schools in Scotland looking into development of resilience and mental health using app technology.
    We are working with educational psychologists who are using the data to more effectively support pupils in schools.
    The results look promising as they are providing us with some further insight into the barriers to support and pupil voice.

  • Photo: Abbie

    Abbie commented on :

    I think that this is getting better but we do need to do more to embed mental health (and talking about it) into the school curriculum. I know that one school nearby has CAHMS come by and have a weekly clinic slot (which is clearly paid for!)