Mental Health and Wellbeing award launches for schools

With half of mental health problems in adulthood beginning before the age of 14, the addition of the Mental Health and Wellbeing award to the curriculum is a step in the right direction. 

The award aims to help young people understand more about their own mental health and wellbeing as well as how to help others.

It is available now for schools and colleges to deliver at SCQF levels four and five. The course is split into three main topics; understanding mental health issues, influences on mental health and wellbeing and coping strategies.

As a whole it will promote positive discussion around mental health in an effort to break down the stigma around the topic. It will highlight the importance of speaking about mental health and the effect it can have on behaviours.

Potential users and impact of social media and the internet will also be a focus of the course.

The course has been developed with input and assistance from the NHS, the Scottish Association for Mental Health, and The Good Shepherd Centre. It follows the launch of a new HND in Counselling.

The Good Shepherd Centre proposed the idea of the new qualifications to the SQA. The centre houses vulnerable children aged 12-17.

It has already been implemented at Whitehill Secondary School in Glasgow where pupils have started supporting each other more and engaging in more positive discussion surrounding mental health.

The new award contributes to the Scottish government’s Mental Health Strategy for 2017-2027 that aims to ‘prevent and treat mental health problems with the same commitment, passion and drive as we do with physical health problems.’

While it will provide early intervention for young people’s mental health problems, the course also creates opportunities for further study.

It could provide progression to an SCQF level six qualification, an NC in Health and Social Care, a modern apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare or employment in the care sector.

Will your school be implementing the Mental Health and Wellbeing award? Let us know on Twitter.