jigsaw

If you feel a young person you work with may have emotional or mental health problems, here is a guide to how you might respond. The same principles apply if you think a colleague or other adult may need extra support. Just remember the G R I P framework:

GATHER

• Gather and analyse information, to decide whether the person might need additional support.
• Look out for the warning signs and risk factors, such as changes in academic performance, behaviour, or relations with others.

RESPOND

• Talk to the young person. Be compassionate and really listen to their story. Avoid getting too involved, being judgemental, or suggesting solutions. See our listening to a young person page for more ideas.
• Respect confidentiality, but be honest about your duty of care. You have to tell others if there is a risk of violence, abuse or self-harm.

INVOLVE

• Involve others, linking a student with the school counsellor, or with another counselling professional or youth worker.
• Maintain a connection with the young person and follow up a little later to see if things have improved.

PROMOTE

• Promote a healthy school or group environment, supporting and enforcing relevant policies, and promoting positive values and life skills.
• Be a model for the young people you work with. Promote tolerance, don't allow put-downs, and encourage people to challenge their negative thoughts.

Look after yourself

Emotional and mental health problems can affect anyone - young people, parents, teachers, others in the school community. Like other helping professionals, teachers take on a number of important responsibilities and their own share of frustrations and worries. Promoting mental health in your  community means not only caring for your students and colleagues, but also looking after yourself.

Learn how to manage stress. Look after yourself physically as well, with a good diet, regular exercise and plenty of sleep. Above all, if your thoughts or feelings are worrying you, or you are going through a difficult time, reach out for support. Talk to friends, family, colleagues, your GP or another health professional. You will be much better able to help others in the school if you remember to look after your own mental health.