On Thursday 24 March 2022, Healthy London Partnership’s (HLP) children and young people (CYP) mental health team hosted the ‘Learning Together: Mental Health in Schools Celebration’ event. Over 250 attendees joined the event from a range of organisations including health, education, local authorities, and voluntary and charity sectors. Young people and their families also attended and participated in the event.

Attendees joined from all over London with 19% from North Central London, 17% from North East London, 21% from North West London, 21% from South East London, and 11% from South West London. Figures are based on 140 poll responses received during the event.

Learning Together celebrated the work going on in the Mental Health in Schools programme in London and knowledge and experience was shared. There was reflection and appreciation of all the amazing work going to support young people with their mental health in schools in London. The celebration event also explored next steps and innovative ways to support young people in education settings in the future.

Find the recording of the event as well as speaker presentations and their biographies on the event webpage.

 

Ian Lewis – Local Authority Advisor CYP mental health programme, Healthy London Partnership (Co-Chair)

 ‘We know that children and young people face huge pressures that impact on their mental health. The pandemic has increased all of these. Schools and Colleges are a key place where support can be offered. It was amazing and inspiring to hear the work that is going on in schools and other education settings across London to support children, young people and staff. If you weren’t able to attend, then please take some time to look at the recording of the event. Many thanks to all our presenters!’

Sheena Gohal – Associate Director CAMHS Oxleas and Clinical Lead CYP mental health programme, Healthy London Partnership (Co-Chair)

‘COVID has brought significant challenges to the way we work and the care we deliver. The MHiS event helped to shine a light on all the innovative and creative ways you have implemented to ensure children and young people receive the best care possible during such challenging times. It was inspirational to hear about your work and to be part of such a celebration. We hope that the opportunity to come together, share and reflect felt helpful. Thank you to everyone who presented and to those who were able to join. Please do have a look at the great presentations when you get a moment!’

Kirstie Stroud – Mental Health Regional Delivery Lead London, Department for Education

‘The London MH in Schools Celebration Event was a triumph! There were so many interesting and varied speakers throughout the morning, that I think all attendees will have taken away a developed understanding of wider work, new ideas and inspiration, and useful contacts – I know I have. Although there was a wide range of interesting topics, the whole event had a clear thread of MH in Schools running throughout which meant that the abundance of information was complementary rather than overwhelming. As well as the professional inspiration, I found the whole event really enjoyable! Thank you to all involved.’

 

The event’s agenda was split into three parts:

• Setting the Scene: The Landscape of MH in Schools
• New Ways of Working
• Celebrating Mental Health Support Teams.

There was also an opportunity for discussion and for attendees to ask questions and share reflections.

Speakers represented a wide range of organisations including HLP, Department for Education, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England/Improvement, Health Education England, Partnership for Young London, North East London ICS, Resilient Schools, Kooth, Place2Be, Reprezent, Waltham Forest CAMHS, Kings College London, South West London & St George’s, Brent Wandsworth and Westminster MIND and Hammersmith Fulham Ealing Hounslow MIND.

Feedback from the Learning Together event was positive and the energy and enthusiasm during the event is reflected below.

Tell us your thoughts about today’s event:

Tell us your thoughts/feelings about the mental health in schools programme in London:

If you have any queries or would like more information please email hlp.cyp-programme@nhs.net.