Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB), the city’s comprehensive 0-25s Mental Health Service, has joined forces with Compass, a charity specializing in health and wellbeing services, to enhance mental health support for schoolchildren across Birmingham.
The initiative, commissioned by Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, aims to provide crucial wellbeing support to students in schools across the North, East, and West of Birmingham. The primary goal of the service is to prevent mental health issues in young people before they develop.
FTB has already made a significant impact, supporting over 90 schools in the North and East of Birmingham. Now, with the expansion of the program, more than 46,000 additional students will benefit from the service. The initiative will extend to 70 primary schools, 21 secondary schools, and five special schools in areas including Handsworth, Lozells, Aston, Ladywood, and Erdington.
Positive Impact at Colmore Junior School
Colmore Junior School in Kings Heath is one of the schools that has already experienced the benefits of having a dedicated Mental Health Support Team (MHST). Adam Hughes, Senior Learning Mentor at the school, shared how the service has positively impacted both students and their families.
“We’ve seen a really positive impact on our children and their families who have received support from the Mental Health Support Team,” said Hughes. “Children have gained effective strategies to manage their mental health and take control over their feelings, which has been invaluable.”
Hughes expressed his enthusiasm for the expansion of the service, noting that increased access to mental health resources is crucial for young people. “I’m really happy to hear that this support will now reach more young people and families because it is so vital,” he added.
Building Skills to Manage Mental Health Early
Sarah-Jane Smith, Head of Nursing for Early Help Services at FTB, emphasized the importance of providing mental health support early on. “We have already seen the impact and value of MHST services in the schools we work with,” Smith said. “Birmingham is an incredible city, but we want to make mental health services more accessible to young people.”
Smith highlighted that equipping students with the skills to navigate their emotions and manage difficult feelings could help prevent the development of long-term mental health conditions. “It’s essential to give young people the tools they need to manage their wellbeing, which can make a real difference in their lives,” she said.
She expressed excitement about the partnership with Compass, which will enable FTB to extend these vital services to even more students. “We’re really excited to work with Compass in this new partnership and provide this essential support to more young people,” Smith added.
A Collaborative Partnership for Greater Impact
Rachel Bundock, CEO of Compass, shared her enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the shared commitment to improving mental health services for children and young people. “We are delighted to join forces with Forward Thinking Birmingham. This partnership will allow us to offer comprehensive support to children, young people, families, and schools, ensuring they can access the help they need when they need it.”
Compass, a well-established charity, is known for its collaborative approach and impactful provision of mental health services. The charity has extensive experience in delivering MHSTs and supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Expanding Access to Mental Health Support Across Birmingham
As part of the expansion, FTB will continue to provide support to schools in the southern part of the city, while Compass will focus on extending services across the rest of Birmingham. The MHST teams will consist of both Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) and Qualified EMHPs, who will deliver evidence-based therapeutic support in local schools.
In addition to direct support for students, the teams will work with Senior Mental Health Leads at selected schools to develop a Whole School Approach to mental health and wellbeing, aligning with Public Health England’s guidance on promoting children and young people’s mental health.
Engaging Students in Mental Health Workshops
Another school benefiting from the program is Saltley Academy, where mental health workshops have been delivered to students. These workshops encourage open discussions about mental health and help students understand the importance of addressing their emotional wellbeing in school. A video showcasing the students’ thoughts on the workshops and the significance of talking about mental health in educational settings is available on YouTube.
Through this expanded collaboration, Forward Thinking Birmingham and Compass are making critical strides in ensuring that mental health support is accessible and impactful for young people across Birmingham.
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