National Reports Library

Summary of report content

Young Healthwatch set out to enrich and complement the information Public Health Brighton and Hove already had about the 'Schools Wellbeing Service' and to talk to students in secondary schools across Brighton and Hove about their views on wellbeing and mental health support in schools. Young Healthwatch worked closely with 3 secondary schools in Brighton and Hove asking students to tell us what kinds of school-based support worked well, what didn't, and what else could be offered. Young Healthwatch spoke to over 280 students over June - July 2018. The key findings included themes around environment, relationships, information and consistency, curriculum and learning and awareness. The report includes 3 recommendation; Schools need to communicate more clearly where mental health support is available in their school; where, who, when & what? Use young person friendly language and embed the provision across the school community. Identify the spaces in schools where vulnerable young people may be spending time e.g. toilets, disused areas, and the far reaches of campus, and recognise the potential for them to provide a more supportive atmosphere and signpost to information and help. Can schools provide alternative tools for understanding and managing feelings? Many students felt they lacked spaces to be angry, to cry, or to express themselves in an energetic way without causing disruption or being discouraged.

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