Spotting the signs of mental ill health: teachers learn skills

Teachers from schools across the Wellington College Teaching Alliance are spending two days learning about mental health first aid.

Sixteen staff from 7 secondary schools, including The Piggott and Altwood, are here for a two-day training course designed to teach people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis.

Delivered by Jenny Griggs, chartered clinical psychologist and head of student emotional health and wellbeing at Wellington College, the course is designed for anyone that works with, or cares for, young people aged 8-18.

It includes an in depth understanding of young people’s mental health and factors
that affect wellbeing, practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues, confidence to reassure and support a young person in distress, enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgmental listening, knowledge to help a young person recover their health by guiding them to further support, and tools for teachers to look after their own mental wellbeing.

It also discusses depression and anxiety, suicide and psychosis, and self-harm and eating disorders.

All participants will receive a certificate from Mental Health First Aid England.