bringing mental health into the classroom

Here at Push, we’re real advocates for mental health awareness and support. Just check out our website for bundles of content on everything from looking after yourself at uni to understanding the science behind mental wellness, and the benefits of taking the reins and knowing what you want from life. 

We’re even here to help when it comes to what you should look for at uni, college, or work in terms of inclusive environments and mental health support.
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Might sound like we’re banging on a bit, but this stuff really does matter.

That’s why this week’s news that Theresa May has called for meaningful improvements in terms of mental health awareness, particularly in schools, is well received, if long overdue.

Using what’s left of her authority before stepping down as PM in July, May is fighting for ‘teacher training to include lessons in identifying children who might have mental health problems and to address issues such as self-harm.’

If realised, the benefits won’t be felt just by school children and their teachers though – her plans are intended to support uni students too. ‘At university level, there will be £1m for a competition to come up with innovative ideas to tackle mental health problems among students.’

May also announced that NHS staff will be encouraged to take suicide prevention training. Not a moment too soon, we say.

Funding and support may seem difficult to come by at the moment, but know that there are always people at hand to help, and to lend an ear.

Push recommends the following people to contact for confidential and impartial advice:

• Anxiety UK
• Depression Alliance
• Mental Health Foundation
• No Panic
• PAPYRUS
• Samaritans
• Student Minds
• Young Minds

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Author

LUCY HARDING is the Editorial manager for Push. She is an English Literature grad and an MA Publishing student at UCL. She is passionate about international relations and cultural diversity, having worked closely with her university’s Erasmus society to support European students. She also spent a year abroad studying at California State University: Long Beach