A Toolkit of Specific Strategies to Support Pupils Mental Health

Course introduction

This course is designed to provide you with specific tools, strategies, information and resources for a whole range of mental health difficulties including anxiety, depression, PTSD, self-harm and eating disorders. You will leave this training with an effective toolkit to help support children/young people with a variety of mental health difficulties.

There is a growing concern and increase in mental and emotional health issues within our education system, our communities, and with the children and young people we teach.   We need to stand together, work as one, and support each other to be emotionally healthy, resilient, and happy, prepared for the struggles that 21^st Century Education, and the world is placing upon us. So many pupils are struggling right now due to several additional issues since COVID.

Some aspects are complex. Some aspects are difficult to talk about. But some aspects can be addressed at grass roots, beginning with supporting the needs of the young people you teach with a toolkit of strategies than can be used in and out of the classroom, in the community and at home.

There will also be opportunities to discuss specific challenges with the trainer and network with others. Nina Jackson from NSMTC Training and Consultancy will bring a very honest, open, and supportive experience to you by sharing strategies to support everyone enabling you to develop a healthy and happy mindset towards some of these issues. Her own story about ‘coming out the other side’ will help you realise and understand some of the difficult aspects of Mental Health. From depression, anxiety, self-harm, PTSD, abuse, suicide and stress, the difficulties of these hidden behaviours and the need to reach out to support each other and those around you. How as educators you can make a difference and address these issues. No word will be taboo.

There isn’t a plaster for it you know!

What we will cover throughout the day

• Understand the different types of mental health needs in pupils – anxiety, depression, PTSD, self-harm, eating disorders, school refusers and much more;

• Understand the importance of trusted adult relationships in supporting pupils’ mental health needs both in and out of the classroom;

• Explore a wide range of strategies to help embed mental health support in your work with children/young people from everyday interactions to crisis support;

• Share and develop best practice, including tools to use with children/young people and where to look for extra resources and support;

• Reflect on current practice and develop skills to enhance your relationships with children/young people, exploring practical self-care strategies that help sustain our roles as trusted adults and well as professional educators;

• Discover self-regulation strategies for immediate on the spot support for pupils in need.

Target audience

Aimed at anyone who works directly or indirectly with children/young people and who wants to learn ways to help support all pupils with mental health difficulties. Ideal for school-based staff including teachers, head teachers, deputy headteacher, SENCo/ALNCo, special education teacher, school support staff, classroom assistant, mental health lead, educational psychologists, nurture group staff, pastoral care staff and pastoral lead teacher. As well as multidisciplinary teams i.e. looked after children, foster care, adoption agencies, social services.

Trainers for this course

Nina Jackson

Nina Jackson is someone who sees the bigger picture and, throughout a long and varied career, has been driven to bring the best out of all children regardless of the issues, challenges an...d special needs they bring to her classroom. Nina brings to her lessons not only high levels of creativity, innovation and professional rigour but also contagious passion which proves to be a winning formula wherever she works. Apart from her work in teaching, learning, thinking skills and technology for learning, her background in special needs and music has led her to devise specialist therapy programmes for schools. Nina also successfully supports mainstream teachers working with children with anger management issues, disaffection, poor motivation, behaviour and confidence.

Up until very recently, Nina was a director of learning in addition to directing a ‘more able and talented’ programme at a successful comprehensive in South Wales. Since these roles, Nina has developed an impressive career in teacher training in the UK and abroad. She has collaborated with Swansea Metropolitan University where she is a lecturer on the MA (Ed) programme, a senior professional tutor (ITET) and has supported the SARA (Schools Action Research Approach) project for the Education Support and Inspection Service in Wales. In 2004, Nina was the winner of the IPDA International Prize for Education and was described in the Times Educational Supplement as an “inspirational, evangelical preacher of education”. She is currently working on her second book – ‘Access All Areas’ – which focuses on helping schools ensure that all children have access to the full extent of what the curriculum has to offer.Read more

See what others have to say about us

"Nicola was very knowledgeable and approachable and did a great job"

"Fantastic course! Nicola is incredibly passionate, professional and knowledgeable about youth mental health. I thoroughly enjoyed the sessions. Thank you!"

"Thank you Nicola, for making what can be a difficult and challenging subject easier to talk about. I learnt a great deal on ways to support young people!"

About the venue

Stay at home, get comfortable and enjoy our live interactive course via Zoom! You’ll receive the link a few days before the course date so you can get prepared (and excited) ahead of time.

Handy course logistics

• The course will run via Zoom from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm, however, the trainer will be available 15 minutes before and after the course times to answer any questions.
• You’ll receive mid-morning, lunch and afternoon breaks to re-energise.
• This course is designed to be interactive and inclusive. We welcome questions and discussions throughout and we want you to be comfortable and stress-free no matter where you join us from!
• Your course pack includes handouts, an M&S voucher for food, a snack, a pen and a notepad – we’ll send this to you before the day. Please note this is only for UK-based participants, international attendees will receive the pack via email.
• Additional links and information will be emailed to you before and during the course.
• This course is also available as an in-house / INSET training session at your school. Contact us for details.
• Please Note – the cost is per person