School based interventions
Information on a range of universal and targeted school based interventions.
This list of school-based mental health interventions come from a European research study and are in place in a range of schools across Europe (1).
Universal intervention programmes
- Mindfulness
- Anti-bullying programme
- Peer support
- Social skills development
- Emotional skills development
Targeted interventions
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual behaviour support
- Risky health behaviour programme
School systems and infrastructure
- Mental health education
- Creative activities
- Physical activities
- Signposting
- Designated space for well-being / mental health support
- Infrastructure for extra-curricular activities
The research looked at the provision across 10 European counties and collected data from 1,466 schools (1).
Thrive Approach
A multi-dimensional approach to helping children and young people develop social and emotional skills. Thrive approach can also be used in a targeted way with children that struggle with difficult life events to help them re-engage with life and learning. Neuroscience, child development and attachment theory underpin the principles of this approach.
www.thriveapproach.com
Cues Ed
An innovative psycho-education project based in primary schools developed by Clinical Psychologists and CBT therapists from the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
www.cues-ed.co.uk
Adolescent mental health
A systematic review on the effectiveness of school-based interventions (July 2021)
https://www.eif.org.uk/report/adolescent-mental-health-a-systematic-review-on-the-effectiveness-of-school-based-interventions
Resilience
Resilience is defined as the ability to bounce back when things go wrong
Schools have long been interested in why some students manage well despite set-backs while others find it difficult to recover and move on.
Carol Dweck and Jo Bolar have both been at the forefront of looking at academic resilience. Their work on Growth Mindsets suggest that students who accept and understand that making mistakes is an important part of learning achieve better academic outcomes than those who find it hard to move on if they make a mistake. Their research suggests that rewarding hard work and adopting a ‘haven’t got it yet’ approach rather than innate ability is crucial to developing academic resilience.
Ted Talk - The Power of Believing That You Can Improve
PSHE Resources
Rise Above for Schools
Rise Above for Schools is a KS 3/4 PSHE resources produced by Public Health England working with teachers. It includes video clips, lesson plans and PowerPoint presentations.
Guidance on preparing to teach about Mental Health
Guidance and lessons plans for schools.
We All Have Mental Health
A range of resources on Mental Health from the Anna Freud including animation, PowerPoint presentations and booklets. Developed in collaboration with young people, teachers and medical experts.
Further Reading
Resources
A multi-dimensional approach to helping children and young people develop social and emotional skills. Thrive approach can also be used in a targeted way with children that struggle with difficult life events to help them re-engage with life and learning. Neuroscience, child development and attachment theory underpin the principles of this approach.