Headteachers hear about promoting mental health among students

Headteachers from Jewish schools across the UK have heard how to promote mental health among students and help youngsters “solve their own problems”.

The interactive workshop for heads was organised by the Jewish Leadership Council’s Partnerships for Jewish Schools (PaJeS) and run by Mental health and wellbeing charity Place2Be.

Primary school leaders heard about “solution–focused techniques” and “frameworks for empowering children to solve their own problems” while secondary school heads learnt about adolescent development in the context of low mood and anxiety.

“This is the culmination of over two years of planning to help support schools in this important area,” said PaJeS director Rabbi David Meyer, explaining that the session was part of a three-stage training programme.

Patrick Johnston, a director of Place2Be, said: “School leaders tell us that children are bringing more worries to school on a day to day basis. On average, three children in every classroom have a diagnosable mental health issue, and schools recognise how this can limit children’s ability to thrive in their education.”

It follows publication of Government’s green paper on young people’s mental health provision and the heads discussed how best to help both staff and students promote emotional resilience and wellbeing in Jewish schools.