Area of Mental Health & Wellbeing at St Kentigern's Academy Blackburn

In 2017 over thirty members of staff were trained as Scottish Mental Health First Aiders. This training offers general information about mental health problems and aims to remove stigma and fear and give staff more confidence in responding effectively and helpfully to a child, young person or adult in distress.

A survey of SMHFA workers in school, pupils, staff and parents / carers in February / March 2018 found overwhelming support for Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing to be a priority in school.

A Planning Group was formed with a remit to develop a whole school Positive Mental Health & Wellbeing Policy building on existing good practice and create a timeline to take this forward.

A draft policy has been written and will be put on school website following consultation.

Following consultation, a strategy has been developed to highlight positive mental health and wellbeing and further create a safe environment for learning for all within the school.

Plans are in place to launch the Policy and present it to the staff on May 8^th2018.

Next Steps

Launch of Policy and Procedures to staff on May 8^th 2018

Timeline for Action to ensure that Policy in place for August 2018:

• Fair to take place towards end of summer term to highlight Positive Mental Health & Wellbeing; MVP mentors; etc.
• New S5/6 Mental Health training June 2018
• P7/S1 Transition – school visits – introducing concept of 'Kenny'
• Displays throughout school highlighting ethos of Positive Mental Health & Wellbeing
• Signposting procedures for staff and pupils throughout school and in every classroom
• All SMHFA staff members clearly identified and visible in school.
• 'The Hub' area identified and set up for August 2018

Planning in place to engage Mental Health Champions from S1-S6