Is mental health provision a concern in your school? Are you looking to develop a whole school approach to mental health issues? Do you need targeted, evidence-informed strategies? This book emphasises the importance of creating a whole school culture which promotes a positive attitude towards mental health. Suitable for both primary and secondary school teachers and leaders, it provides you with concise, practical guidance to help improve your existing mental health provision, all backed by the latest research.
Mental health and wellbeing is a hugely important agenda in education, both nationally and internationally. Promoting Positive Mental Health in the Primary School unpacks scientific and psychological research and evidence to explain positive mental health through the lens of a primary classroom in the language of teaching professionals. Chapter by chapter, the book focuses on specific elements fundamental to positive mental health promotion in the classroom, including developing positive relationships, emotional literacy, empowering children as learners as well as the importance of teacher wellbeing, and illustrates how these can be achieved. It offers: An examination into the connection between positive mental health and good teaching Guidance underpinned by evidence for teachers and school leaders who wish to embed a consistent approach to positive mental health promotion Practical suggestions for whole school professional learning Written from first-hand experience in both teaching and research, this accessible text makes positive mental health promotion meaningful to teachers, helping them build understanding and move from theory into practice. It is an essential resource for all practising teachers, trainee teachers, school support staff and school leaders.
A clear and practical overview of ways in which mainstream schools can promote the health of all who work and learn in them. Evidence is supported by the latest research findings from the UK, Europe and USA.
Based on action research and implementation at one of the world’s great schools, this book provides a much-needed exploration of how to implement positive education at a whole school level. Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education summarises the integration of a whole-school mental health and well-being strategy, positive psychology programs and pastoral care models from 3 – 18 years of age. Positive education is the teaching of scientifically validated programs from positive psychology and character education that have an impact on student and staff well-being. It is an approach that focuses on teaching, building and embedding social and emotional learning throughout a student’s experience. St Peter’s College - Adelaide is the only institution in the world to integrate Martin Seligman’s well-being theory throughout all aspects of both its strategic intent and positive education programs. The School’s vision is to be a world-class school where all boys flourish. Its mission is to provide an exceptional education that brings out the very best in every boy. This is done within an intellectually and spiritually rich environment that nurtures international-mindedness, intercultural understanding, respect and a commitment to social justice. This book captures the developments of the St Peter’s College journey. It focuses on the integration of well-being across seven strategic goals: Academics; Well-being; Student Life; Entrepreneurship; Innovation and Partnerships; People, Culture and Change; Sustainability and Environment; Community Engagement, Advancement, and Philanthropy. A uniquely Australian school, the impact of a St Peter’s College education is to build great men: who believe safety, service and integrity and fundamental parts of their lives; who are active members of communities that are socially and culturally diverse; who engage in political, ethical, and environmental challenges as good citizens. Since 1847, St Peter’s College alumni have had global and life-changing impact in all fields of human endeavour. The School’s alumni include three Nobel Laureates, 42 Rhodes Scholars, Olympians and Archbishops, artists and scientists, educators and journalists, actors and politicians, philanthropists and physicians, CEOs, diplomats and soldiers, explorers, painters and poets. This book shares evidence-based practices and makes a substantial contribution to the rapidly developing field of positive psychology and its application in schools.
The mental health of school leaders and managers is just as important as the well-being of those they teach and support. Recent research reveals some alarming statistics, including that 56% of senior leaders have experienced mental ill health in the last year. This book examines a range of relevant issues including workload, inspections, partnerships and approaches to leadership and management in order to address some of these concerns and provide comprehensive guidance and workable, evidence-informed strategies to support those with leadership roles in schools and colleges. -- Sally Henshall Head Teacher at Grove Lea Primary School
Mental Health and Academic Learning in Schools: Approaches for Facilitating the Wellbeing of Children and Young People investigates the many areas impacting on young people’s learning and mental health in a unified manner. Offering a new model for teaching, learning and connecting with young people, it provides compelling evidence about the intertwined nature of students’ academic performance, mental health and behaviour. The book presents integrated models and strategies that serve to enhance student learning and promote wellbeing. Chapters explore issues relating to classroom management, school culture and leadership, staff wellbeing, pedagogy, inclusion and the curriculum. Placing students at the centre of decision making, the book showcases innovative models and strategies that schools might use for preventing problems, engaging students and identifying and addressing learning or mental health problems that some students might experience. This book will appeal to academics, researchers and post-graduate students in the fields of mental health and education, and will also be of interest to school counsellors, educational psychologists and those working with young people in schools.
For many children, schools are the main or only providers of mental health services. In this visionary and comprehensive book, two nationally known experts describe a new approach to school-based mental health—one that better serves students, maximizes resources, and promotes academic performance. The authors describe how educators can effectively coordinate internal and external resources to support a healthy school environment and help at-risk students overcome barriers to learning. School leaders, psychologists, counselors, and policy makers will find essential guidance, including: • An overview of the history and current state of school mental health programs, discussing major issues confronting the field • Strategies for effective school-based initiatives, including addressing behavior issues, introducing classroom-based activities, and coordinating with community resources • A call to action for higher-quality mental health programming across public schools—including how collaboration, research, and advocacy can make a difference Gain the knowledge you need to develop or improve your school's mental health program to better serve both the academic and mental health needs of your students!
"Provides a significant overview of the matter of mental health and wellbeing with particular reference to educational contexts ... Presents an authoritiative and diverse account of: links between wellbeing and learning; interventions and initiatives in the field; evidence based practice guidelines; policy and practice examples." -- Back cover.
"The approaches outlined in this volume will help expand the narrow focus on academic success to include psychological well-being for students and educators alike. It is a must-read for anyone interested in how positive outcomes such as life satisfaction, positive emotion, and meaning and purpose can be optimized in the educational settings." -- Judith Moskowitz, PhD MPH, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, USA, IPPA President 2019-2021 This open access handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the growing field of positive education, featuring a broad range of theoretical, applied, and practice-focused chapters from leading international experts. It demonstrates how positive education offers an approach to understanding learning that blends academic study with life skills such as self-awareness, emotion regulation, healthy mindsets, mindfulness, and positive habits, grounded in the science of wellbeing, to promote character development, optimal functioning, engagement in learning, and resilience. The handbook offers an in-depth understanding and critical consideration of the relevance of positive psychology to education, which encompasses its theoretical foundations, the empirical findings, and the existing educational applications and interventions. The contributors situate wellbeing science within the broader framework of education, considering its implications for teacher training, education and developmental psychology, school administration, policy making, pedagogy, and curriculum studies. This landmark collection will appeal to researchers and practitioners working in positive psychology, educational and school psychology, developmental psychology, education, counselling, social work, and public policy. Margaret (Peggy) L. Kern is Associate Professor at the Centre for Positive Psychology at the University of Melbourne's Graduate School of Education, Australia. Dr Kern is Founding Chair of the Education Division of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA). You can find out more about Dr Kern's work at www.peggykern.org. Michael L. Wehmeyer is Ross and Mariana Beach Distinguished Professor of Special Education; Chair of the Department of Special Education; and Director and Senior Scientist, Beach Center on Disability, at the University of Kansas, United States. Dr Wehmeyer is Publications Lead for the Education Division of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA). He has published more than 450 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and is an author or editor of 42 texts. .
