Beyond Blue Health Services: Sustaining School-Based Mental Health Interventions

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of mental health and wellbeing in schools. Despite significant investments in school-based mental health promotion, sustaining these interventions remains a substantial challenge. To address this issue, an online roundtable discussion was held in July 2022, bringing together experts from various fields to share their insights and experiences.

The discussion explored the need for accountability at all levels, including school leaders, policy makers, and Ofsted. Participants included school staff, policy makers, educational psychologists, researchers, and mental health intervention developers. Facilitated by researchers and informed by recent research on barriers and facilitators to sustaining school-based mental health interventions, 16 participants came together to discuss challenges and solutions.

The discussion highlighted the importance of engaging schools more consistently with academic evidence. This requires a shift in focus from one-off initiatives to sustainable, evidence-informed approaches that can be integrated into daily school practice. The roundtable also emphasized the need for better collaboration between different stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, and researchers.

The potential solutions identified during the discussion can be summarized as follows:

* Embedding mental health interventions into existing school practices: This approach recognizes that schools are already working on a range of initiatives related to student wellbeing. By integrating mental health interventions into these existing practices, schools can build on their strengths and reduce the risk of new programs being added without sufficient resources or support.

* Fostering a whole-school approach: A whole-school approach involves involving all members of the school community in promoting mental health and wellbeing. This includes teachers, support staff, parents, and students themselves. By working together, schools can create a consistent and supportive environment that promotes positive mental health outcomes.

* Providing ongoing training and support: Schools need access to ongoing training and support to ensure that they have the skills and resources required to sustain mental health interventions over time. This includes providing regular updates on best practices, as well as opportunities for staff to share their experiences and challenges with colleagues.

By implementing these solutions, schools can work towards sustaining school-based mental health interventions and promoting positive mental health outcomes for students. As we continue to invest in school-based mental health promotion, it is essential that we prioritize sustainability and ensure that our efforts are evidence-informed and effective in the long term.

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Beyond blue health services