The current statistics around mental health show that 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year (mind.org). Mental health issues are an increasing concern not only within adults but also children and young people. The last national morbidity survey completed for children and young people was in 2004, which found that 1 in 10 children aged between 5 and 16 were reported as having a clinically diagnosed mental health disorder. In 2013/2014 there were 51,000 referrals of 15 – 19 year olds to psychological therapies (NHS, March 2016). This demonstrates an increasing trend in issues around mental health for young people. Poor mental health and low emotional well-being has been identified as a common concern that is affecting young people within our E-ACT academies.
To support our children and young people E-ACT have trained ten members of staff to be trained instructors of Youth Mental Health First Aid across the country. This has enabled the instructors to go into the academies and train academy staff as Youth Mental Health First Aiders. This will enable them to provide information, tools and techniques to promote a young person’s mental and emotional well-being and support a young person who might be experiencing mental and emotional distress. Training for Braintcroft E-Act Primary Academy staff started in September 2018. As a result, we currently have 25 members of staff fully trained as ‘Mental Health First Aiders’. The training will continue to be rolled out every term for all staff who work with children.
E-Act Braintcroft Primary Academy’s Mental Health First Aiders are:
Jashu Gurusia – Support Staff
Toots Beckett – Medical Co-ordinator
Shabina Sharif – Support Staff
Shamim Malik – Support Staff
Kira Charlott – Support Staff
Radha Murji – Support Staff
Angela Cacchioli – Support Staff
Raffaella Totaro – Support Staff
Yasmin Saleh – Attendance and Family Liaison Officer
Rukiya Salim – Support Staff
Cynthia Cyrus – Assistant Headteacher
Vivien Johnson – Receptionist
Sarju Gudka – Senior Office Administrator
Rashida Boaye – Office manager and PA to Headteacher
Kulbir Kahlon – Assistant Headteacher
James Carter – PE Teacher
Tina Papaioannou – Class Teacher
