One in ten children experience a diagnosable mental health problem.
Teachers today are increasingly faced with challenges associated with mental health difficulties. This is due to the rise in young people experiencing mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties, within a situation where specialist services are not easily accessible to young people or teachers. It is fair to say that teachers want to help young people, but acknowledge that they require support and guidance in doing so. More recently, there has been a drive for schools to work collaboratively with specialist services using an early intervention approach, in order to help young people with emotional and mental health difficulties achieve their aspirations.
Offering the student an opportunity to talk about their difficulties with someone whom they feel comfortable and safe with can be a huge source of support. Young people spend a majority of their time at school and in contact with teachers, and as a result, quality student-teacher relationships develop. These relationships are very important within the educational role but are also significant transferable relationships. Furthermore, they are supportive and provide a safe space for the young person to discuss their difficulties and to work collaboratively towards emotional wellbeing.
At Innovating Minds we work with teachers and students to help those relationships develop and support teachers to have those difficult conversations with their students. We don’t just share our skills and knowledge, we also support the implementation. Innovating Minds believe in support young people with emotional and mental health needs to achieve their aspirations. Check out the resources on our website to find out how you can ‘talk about the unsaid’.
Look at our enhanced article with practical advice.