jigsaw

As well as responding to young people in need, there is much that a school or organisation can do to create a positive environment for young people's mental health.

Developing resilient young people

Resilience is the capacity to bounce back and keep going during difficult times. This helps young people adapt, and can protect them against developing emotional or mental health problems.

Three key factors which foster resilience in young people are caring relationships, high but achievable expectations, and opportunities to participate in their family, school or community.

Caring relationships

Schools foster caring relationships by encouraging tolerance and by trying to prevent bullying, racism, stigma or harassment. Teachers can create caring relationships with young people by giving positive as well as constructive feedback, and by taking an interest in each individual.  Even simple things, such as knowing students by name and saying hello in the school yard, can help.

In addition, a school can promote mental health by providing pastoral care or support staff, by supporting professional development, and by including relevant skills in the curriculum (such as problem-solving or communication).

Positive achievements

A broad based curriculum, in which students can choose from a variety of learning areas and school activities, gives young people an opportunity to do well and helps create a sense of achievement.

Community involvement

Inviting young people to contribute to school policies, as well as in the classroom, helps students develop a feeling of connection and belonging. Promoting mental health also involves strengthening connections between the school or organisation and the broader community, by consulting with parents and community groups, and developing links with support services and welfare agencies.

Take account of context

It is important to take into account the culture and make-up of your own community when you think about educational and mental health needs. For example, rural communities must often deal with isolation, higher suicide rates, and issues of access to services.

People from other cultural backgrounds, including refugees and asylum seekers, will have their own beliefs and values, and may have different life experiences from other people in your community.