Better Mental Health in Schools: Four Key Principles for Practice in Challenging Times

Better Mental Health in Schools  recognises the value of school staff in supporting mental health in  children and young people and introduces new skills for enhancing the  therapeutic benefits of environments and relationships in schools.

This  book discusses and links to provision in schools and to supporting good  mental health in pupils across four key areas for enhancing mental  health and wellbeing — Cognition, Compassion, Containment, and Connection. Based  in relevant and timely research it provides an accessible insight into  practical ways to change practice. Rather than prescribe one programme,  or suggest one curriculum design, the book shows how strengthening  knowledge and understanding of some basic underpinnings of good mental  health will scaffold the development of better mental health in schools  and offers illustrations of how that could look in everyday practice.

Written  for practitioners and based on many years of experience in classrooms  across a variety of education provisions, this book reflects the lived,  experiential perspective of a teacher and school therapist. Through  paying attention to these four key areas of daily life in school, staff  can create an environment that supports mental wellbeing, while not  depleting their own mental health.