Creating a therapeutic school: Some quick ideas

The first half-term of the school year is an important time to focus on the plans you have to support the mental health and emotional wellbeing of your pupils, as many will be returning after a difficult summer break.

This is particular the case in light of the range of mental health and wellbeing challenges facing young people and since the government released its mental health Green Paper – Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision.

Here are some ideas for both teachers and school leaders.

Classrooms are a great place to begin to develop a collective consciousness about wellbeing issues. Creating a class culture in which it is healthy and encouraged to discuss wellbeing, feelings and behaviour is essential for removing barriers around mental health and allowing young people to focus their attention on their own wellbeing. In order for young people to begin to explore these issues they first need to feel secure in the environment and believe that the classroom is a safe place to do this.