Introduction

In today's complex and demanding educational environment, Mental Health and Wellbeing Leadership in Schools has emerged as a non-negotiable imperative for creating truly supportive, resilient, and high-performing learning communities. Beyond academic achievement, schools play a vital role in nurturing the holistic development of students and staff, and addressing mental health challenges is central to this mission. Effective leaders in this domain recognize that mental wellbeing is inextricably linked to learning, behavior, and overall life outcomes. They champion a whole-school approach that prioritizes prevention, early intervention, and the cultivation of a psychologically safe environment for everyone. Without dedicated and knowledgeable leadership in this critical area, schools risk overlooking the silent struggles of their community, exacerbating stress, and hindering the potential for both individual and collective flourishing. This essential training course focuses on equipping educational professionals with the expertise to master Mental Health and Wellbeing Leadership in Schools.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to empower school principals, mental health leads, counselors, teachers, and aspiring educational leaders with the theoretical understanding and practical tools necessary to develop, implement, and sustain comprehensive mental health and wellbeing strategies within their school settings. Participants will gain a deep understanding of common mental health challenges faced by children and adolescents, explore evidence-based interventions, learn how to create a supportive school culture, and acquire skills in collaborating with parents and external mental health professionals. The course will delve into topics such as social-emotional learning (SEL), trauma-informed practices, stress management for staff, building resilience, suicide prevention, anti-stigma initiatives, and leveraging data to inform wellbeing programs. By mastering the principles and methodologies of Mental Health and Wellbeing Leadership in Schools, participants will be prepared to transform their institutions into environments where mental health is prioritized, stigma is reduced, and every member of the school community feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• School Principals and Vice Principals
• Mental Health Leads and Coordinators
• School Counselors and Psychologists
• Teachers (Primary and Secondary)
• Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs)
• Safeguarding Leads
• School Nurses
• School Board Members
• Parents/Carers who play a leadership role in school wellbeing initiatives
• Aspiring School Leaders

Objectives

• Understand the spectrum of mental health and wellbeing in children and adolescents.
• Learn about factors influencing student and staff mental health within a school context.
• Acquire strategies for developing a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
• Comprehend techniques for promoting positive emotional health and resilience.
• Explore methodologies for early identification and effective intervention for mental health concerns.
• Understand the importance of staff wellbeing and self-care for leaders.
• Gain insights into collaborating with families and external mental health services.
• Develop a strategic plan for leading mental health and wellbeing initiatives in their school.

Course Content

Module 1: Foundations of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Schools

• Defining mental health and wellbeing: a holistic perspective.
• The prevalence of mental health challenges in children and adolescents.
• The link between mental health, learning, behavior, and academic outcomes.
• Understanding stigma and discrimination related to mental health.
• The ethical imperative for schools to prioritize mental health.

Module 2: The Whole-School Approach to Mental Health

• Principles of a comprehensive, tiered system of mental health support.
• Developing a school-wide vision and policy for mental health and wellbeing.
• Creating a positive and inclusive school culture that promotes mental health.
• Engaging all stakeholders: students, staff, parents, and community.
• Assessing the school's current mental health and wellbeing provision.

Module 3: Promoting Positive Mental Health and Resilience

• Integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into curriculum and daily practice.
• Teaching resilience skills, coping mechanisms, and emotional regulation.
• Fostering a sense of belonging, purpose, and self-efficacy in students.
• Mindfulness and other wellbeing practices for students and staff.
• Strategies for building positive peer relationships and anti-bullying initiatives.

Module 4: Early Identification and Intervention

• Recognizing signs and symptoms of common mental health challenges (e.g., anxiety, depression, ADHD).
• Developing clear referral pathways for students needing support.
• Implementing universal screening and assessment tools (with ethical considerations).
• Tiered interventions: universal, targeted, and intensive support.
• Crisis response and de-escalation techniques.

Module 5: Supporting Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing

• The importance of staff wellbeing for a healthy school environment.
• Identifying signs of stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue in educators.
• Strategies for promoting staff self-care, work-life balance, and professional support.
• Creating a supportive leadership culture for staff mental health.
• Providing access to employee assistance programs and mental health resources for staff.

Module 6: Trauma-Informed and Restorative Practices

• Understanding the impact of trauma on learning and behavior.
• Principles of trauma-informed schools: safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration.
• Implementing restorative justice practices for conflict resolution and discipline.
• Creating a sense of psychological safety for all students and staff.
• Responding to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the school setting.

Module 7: Collaboration with Families and External Professionals

• Building strong partnerships with parents/carers regarding student mental health.
• Effective communication strategies with families about sensitive issues.
• Navigating external mental health services and referral processes.
• Understanding the roles of school-based mental health professionals (counselors, psychologists).
• Community resource mapping for mental health support.

Module 8: Leading and Sustaining Mental Health Initiatives

• Developing a strategic action plan for mental health and wellbeing in the school.
• Allocating resources and securing funding for mental health programs.
• Measuring the impact and effectiveness of wellbeing initiatives.
• Advocating for systemic change and policy development to support mental health.
• Sustaining a long-term commitment to a mentally healthy school community.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training