Local mental health charity, Heads On, is launching a schools’ project for World Mental Health Day on Sunday 10 October.
Heads On is the official charity for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust who provide mental health and learning disability services in Sussex and children and adolescent mental health services in Hampshire and Sussex.
The World Federation for Mental Health announced this year's theme as ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’ and Heads On has created its own campaign around this theme.
The charity is encouraging schools to sign up to receive PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) lesson plans, resources and assembly introductions. Heads On is also inviting students at participating schools to host a “rainbow dress down day” for a suggested donation of £1 per student. Given that World Mental Health Day falls on a Sunday, Heads On is suggesting schools hold events either the week before or after to give schools the opportunity to participate on a day that best suits staff and students.
Abi Harley, Community and Individuals Fundraiser at Heads On, said: “The last eighteen months have shone a light on mental health in our communities. Young people have all been affected by the uncertainty and disruption to their lives. Our PSHE lesson plans encourage young people of all ages to have conversations about their feelings, and include ideas on how to self-help and where to seek help.”
The PSHE lesson plans for primary and secondary schools have been produced in consultation with Sussex Partnership’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) teams.
Abi Harley continued: “We want the visual event to be as inclusive as possible - tying in with the theme of ‘mental health in an unequal world’. Parents are not required to buy new clothes or fancy dress and students can wear whatever colours they would like. All money raised will be used by the CAMHS teams to enhance and support their services.
“We have worked in collaboration with NHS Charities across the country to help produce this project so keep your eyes open for schools across the country taking part too.”
To find out more about the project, or to register your school’s interest, please email headsoncharity@spft.nhs.uk or call Abi Harley on 07471 031 612.
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