Education experts from the University of Stirling are teaming up with a leading charity to help future generations of teachers in Scotland support children’s mental health.
The two-year collaboration, between children’s mental health charity Place2Be and academics from Stirling’s Education Studies department, aims to bring mental health expertise to both students and staff.
Through the delivery of lectures and seminars, students will gain an understanding of issues affecting mental health and wellbeing, and will be given practical support strategies to help them approach challenging situations in a measured way. They will also have the opportunity to reflect on their practice with a Place2Be employee, who will be based at the University.
Education tutors will receive professional development training to enable them to support their students’ education.
The move comes after recent research by the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) revealed that 63% of teachers in Scotland do not feel they have received sufficient training in mental health to allow them to carry out their role properly.
In addition, only one out of 100 respondents recalled doing detailed work on mental health when they were student teachers.
Associate Dean for Learning, Teaching and the Student Experience
The proposed project with Place2Be will make a significant contribution to the strategic development of initial teacher education here at Stirling, enhancing the ethos and scope of our programme in the years to come.
In addition to working with Stirling, Place2Be will embed a specialist clinician into the University of Edinburgh’s Moray House School of Education.
Jonathan Wood, National Manager for Scotland at Place2Be, said: “We’re delighted to be working with both the University of Edinburgh and the University of Stirling on this innovative partnership.
“Our experience of working in schools over many years has taught us that teachers are generally passionate about supporting their pupils, but sometimes lack the knowledge and confidence to know how best to help.
“We are not expecting teachers to become mental health experts but, by equipping them with the necessary skills and understanding, we can ensure more children and young people get the support they need, when they need it most.”
Place2Be has been working in Scotland since 2001, and provides support in 39 schools across Glasgow, Edinburgh, North Ayrshire and Renfrewshire, reaching a school population of more than 9,500 pupils and their families.
The charity has also provided its Mental Health Champions training and consultation programme to 49 schools in South Ayrshire and Glasgow.
Background information
Media enquiries to Rosie Free, Communications Officer, on 01786 466169 or rosemary.free@stir.ac.uk