LSC Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness Resource

The overall aim of this resource is to enable staff in Further Education to help young people to access and succeed in learning and skills and employment. It is not about equipping staff to be experts or specialists in mental health, but rather about increasing Continuing Professional Development with awareness of the range of issues that can be experienced by young people.

These modules seek to help address some of the tensions practitioners experience between wanting to know something about different mental health conditions (which is a more medical approach to mental health), and how they can best support their learners with mental health difficulties.

This resource has been written in consultation with health professionals, learning & skills professionals and learners from a range of specialisms and backgrounds.  It was initially developed with North West Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Invest to Change funding by the Salford Supporting Emotional Wellbeing task group, and has had input from NIACE in terms of policy and resource updates.

Salford Supporting Emotional Wellbeing task group: 42nd Street, ADD Action, Gaddum Centre, Greater Manchester West Mental Health Foundation NHS Trust, Salford Carers Centre, Salford City College, Salford City Council, Salford Connexions, Salford Drug and Alcohol Team, Salford Early Detection and Intervention Team (EDIT), Salford Primary Care Trust.

This resource is designed to be used by:-

• Staff working in mainstream learning and skills provision for young people
• Staff working in specialist organisations working with young people who have experience of mental health difficulties.

It is hoped that these modules have captured good practice that will raise awareness and understanding, as well as providing practical examples of how to confidently help learners who may be in need of support.