Call for teacher training courses to feature emotional wellbeing to reduce long-term impact of mental ill health

Thousands of children are not achieving their potential because their emotional needs are not being recognised early enough and they don’t receive support to cope with the challenges of modern life, according to a school-based mental health services provider.

As part of World Mental Health Day (10 October), Place2Be highlighted the benefit of early therapeutic intervention at school by noting that half of the children who experience mental ill health problem will go on to face similar problems when they reach adulthood.

The organisation stressed that teachers and schools need professional support to improve their skills and understanding of children’s emotional wellbeing. To spread the message, Place2Be delivered sessions across the country on WMHD including:

• Responding to social emotional and mental health needs in schools in Stoke-on-Trent

• Mental health in schools in Preston

• SCHOOLS NorthEast Summit in Newcastle.

Place2Be’s chief executive, Catherine Roche, said: "Alongside economic and social costs, the personal costs of mental health problems are huge and at Place2Be we believe they deserve proper attention on a par with any other physical health conditions and that tackling them now is vital."

The Talented Teacher Programme is a new programme of training and support for Newly Qualified Teachers which enhances teachers’ skills and understanding to support children’s emotional wellbeing, improve classroom management, minimise disruption, maximise engagement and improve the overall effectiveness of their teaching.

For more information visit www.place2be.org.uk