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Supporting their mental health

As new mental health guidance for schools is released, child psychologist Karen Sullivan discusses how we can help to safeguard and develop our students' mental health.

I was heartened by the new DfE guidance to help schools spot mental health issues in teenagers, and offer appropriate support via counselling or referral to child mental-health experts (See http://bit.ly/1kRS6Qb). 

While teachers arguably have enough on their plates, there is no doubt that they know their students, and are in a good position to notice changes in behaviour or, indeed, reasons for it.

I love the idea of teaching problem-solving – a skill that is shown to be absent in both bullies and victims – and helping kids to adjust to change, and to develop confidence and self-esteem. 

But most of all I love the idea of a happy, respectful classroom – where students can put their trust in teachers, which is the basis of respect, something that will aid both teachers and students.

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