Mental health is an essential aspect of overall well-being, yet stigma and discrimination remain significant barriers to addressing mental health issues, particularly among young people. The See Me programme in Scotland is at the forefront of efforts to eliminate these barriers by fostering mental health inclusion and reducing stigma in schools. This blog explores the successes and challenges of implementing a local authority approach to mental health education, with a focus on the remarkable progress made in North Ayrshire.
The Importance of Addressing Mental Health Stigma
Research suggests that one in ten children and young people aged between five and 16 years old have a clinically diagnosable mental illness. Furthermore, half of all mental health problems are established by age 14. Despite these alarming statistics, stigma and discrimination often prevent young people from seeking help or discussing their mental health concerns.
The See Me programme aims to create lasting positive change by promoting mental health literacy and tackling stigma through education and community engagement. By embedding principles of equality and human rights into their approach, See Me seeks to influence policy, practice, attitudes, and behaviors across various sectors.
A Local Authority Approach: The North Ayrshire Success Story
In North Ayrshire, the implementation of the See Me Education and Young People (EYP) programme has been nothing short of transformative. The program's success can be attributed to a strategic local authority approach that coordinates efforts across schools and engages multiple stakeholders.
Creating a Strategic Direction
The establishment of the Mental Health Operational Group (MHOG) in North Ayrshire exemplifies the power of collaborative leadership. This group brings together professionals from health, education, social care, and other sectors to support mental health initiatives within schools. By coordinating efforts and sharing resources, the MHOG ensures that schools have the support they need to implement effective mental health strategies.
Overcoming Barriers Through Partnership
The partnership between school leads for the See Me programme and MHOG members has been instrumental in overcoming challenges such as resistance from teaching staff or lack of leadership continuity. By fostering a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility, North Ayrshire has successfully implemented the See Me programme across its schools.
The Impact of See Me in Schools
The reach of the See Me EYP programme is impressive. From November 2016 to September 2019, 30 schools engaged with the program, training 420 teachers and reaching over 27,000 pupils. In North Ayrshire alone, senior pupils from every mainland secondary school participated in the pilot of the new 'Toolkit' programme.
- Improved Mental Health Literacy: Training provided by See Me has increased awareness and understanding of mental health issues among students and staff.
- Empowerment to Tackle Stigma: Feedback from participants highlights increased confidence in addressing mental health stigma and discrimination.
- Sustainable Change: The structured approach ensures that anti-stigma practices are embedded into school culture for long-term impact.
The Benefits of a Local Authority Approach
A local authority approach offers several advantages for implementing mental health initiatives:
- Sustained Implementation: By providing a directive for action across all schools, this approach ensures consistent application of mental health strategies.
- Cohesive Collaboration: Linking services across sectors allows for a holistic approach to tackling stigma and discrimination.
- Scalability: Coordinated efforts make it easier to scale successful programs to other regions or sectors.
A Path Forward
The success story in North Ayrshire demonstrates how a local authority approach can effectively reduce stigma and improve mental health outcomes in schools. As more regions consider adopting similar strategies, they have an opportunity to build on this foundation and create environments where young people feel supported in addressing their mental health needs.
If you are interested in learning more about reducing mental health stigma and discrimination in schools through a local authority approach, please follow this link.
