Mental health first aid for young people: year 2 report
Information about mental health first aid for young people.
Year 2
In Year 2 a further 5 local authorities were identified to take part in the next phase of funding. They were identified as being in most need of immediate support, based on the Scottish Index Of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), suicide rates and on figures provided by NHS on the number of professionals trained in 'Scotland's Mental Health First Aid: Young People' within the Authority;
- Shetland
- Highland
- Argyll & Bute
- Dumfries & Galloway
- Scottish Borders
Each Local Authority was awarded a grant of £2400 to target support and training to school communities in most need, thus improving outcomes for learners in the most deprived areas or from particular vulnerable groups. Spending was as follows:
| Authority |
Spending |
|---|---|
| Shetland |
2 Staff to attend training on the mainland |
| Highland |
Training for Trainers by Health Scotland Staff (Training, travel and subsistence for trainers and team) |
| Argyll and Bute |
£750 per 2 day course for co trainer costs and for 3 venues |
| Dumfries and Galloway |
Contribution towards Staff Cover Costs – for release of up to 68 staff (£4480) £900.00 £2400.00 |
| Scottish Borders |
Activities Training days Total spend £2500 |
Those undertaking the training experience a 14 hour course, split into three sections:
- Part 1: 1-2 hours online session, covering relevant policies and procedures
- Part 2: 7 hours as a modular course, delivered face to face - a skills practice intervention training day (this can be delivered in 1.5 hour sessions, 2 half days or 1 full day)
- Part 3: 2-3 hours online session, using DVD clips with a reflective log to be completed
The main objectives were as follows
- those undertaking the training (identified members of secondary school staff and partners) will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required to approach and give initial help to children and young people experiencing mental health problems
- a greater number of pupils experiencing mental health problems will receive initial support when needed
- support for learners from the most deprived areas and from particular vulnerable groups as local authorities will be able to target support to the school communities that need it most (support will be organised in such a way as to complement existing mental health and mental wellbeing training and initiatives within the local authority)
Implementation and Impact
The Local Authorities were asked to provide a summary of the implementation and a brief evaluation of the initial impact of project:
| Authority |
Implementation |
Initial Impact and next steps |
|---|---|---|
| Shetland |
Shetland Islands Council has been committed to making Scotland's Mental Health First Aid: Young People courses available to staff. We have supported 28 staff to undertake the course (delivered locally by NHS Shetland). We held two Scotland's Mental Health First Aid: Young People courses on 26th and 27th October 2015 during the schools in-service days. These were led by Jill Hood, NHS Shetland. 26 members of staff attended the training over the 2 days. In order to ensure the sustainability of this programme Shetland Islands Council now have two teachers (Principal Teacher Pupil Support, Brae High School & Additional Support Needs Teacher, Additional Support Base) trained as instructors for Scotland's Mental Health First Aid: Young People. Their training took place on 03, 04 & 05 November in Glasgow |
Has built capacity locally to target support for school communities More secondary teachers trained in SMHFA:YP so pupils should get the support they need More young people now aware of mental health issues so should be more able to get the help they need Evaluations from those who took part will help inform further training |
| Highland |
Thus far we have 10 people trained as trainers, but unfortunately one has recently left the service, leaving 9 trainers in Highland, all within the Primary Mental Health Work & Training (PMHW) service. We have delivered training in pairs to ensure quality and consistency, and have delivered to school teams in 5 locations thus far (since January). There are plans to continue this roll out to schools across Highland through the PMHW service. We have also recently had discussions about training for our family teams (support workers, health visitors and school nurses) and after Easter will have a draft roll out programme for training this group of staff. |
We're targeting all school communities and children's services staff. We are using consultation with staff to guide us towards schools who are 'ready' for this step and are supporting others as appropriate. This support is being embedded into Improvement Plans so that it has a more strategic impact. All PMHWs in post last year were trained as trainers. This has enabled us to deliver the training in local areas across Highland. This gives us a number of trainers and good coverage across Highland Use of consultation to build capacity in school staff and link this to SMHFA-YP training. We are noticing patterns within this that is able to highlight need. PMHW HEAT targets are being met. The feedback from staff is that they are more knowledgeable and more confident in dealing with mental health issues in children and young people. This is recorded on the Health Scotland website as part of the reflective accounts of participants. Training is being offered to older Young Carers and Care Experienced Young People. Stonewall are also providing resources for us when focusing on LGBTI issues. |
| Argyll and Bute |
We have completed one session to date with 14 in attendance over the next two weeks there are a further two sessions with a total of 16 staff signed up. We now plan to add a further session on after the Spring break as all of the initial sessions were full and schools would like to have a number of trained staff. |
All 10 secondary schools, 2 primary schools and partners from Police Scotland, 3rd sector Drug and Alcohol and family support groups working in schools had staff trained There are now identified and trained staff in all 10 secondary schools who will take forward this work. In our larger schools there are up to 5 staff trained |
| Dumfries and Galloway |
She has advised that each course could take up to 12 people and would require 2 trainers. Approximate cost is £300 per course, which incorporates travel etc. Given that I need to cover supply I am intending to offer this to 20 Pupil Support Staff. |
As a result of this training, initial feedback and concerns raised from schools and others discussions have been held with our key NHS partners, regarding the development of a mental health strategy to support schools This will be developed as a multi agency strategy. The purpose of this is to provide schools with clear pathways and guidance to support young people experiencing any one of the wide-ranging mental health issues. It will also identify further key training for staff to undertake in conjunction with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and other agencies. Feedback from Staff indicated that they found the course extremely worthwhile, as it provided basic general information about mental health problems. As well as this they felt that the knowledge presented and understanding developed in the course helped to remove some of the stigma and fear around dealing with these issues. Most indicated that having undergone the training they felt they were slightly more confident in dealing with young people experiencing mental health problems. They recognised the training for what it was and felt that as an initial response and signposting training, it was ideal for them as pupil support principal teachers. Some stated that they found dealing with young people experiencing mental health problems extremely distressing and therefore now felt more reassured in that they did not feel they had to 'sort' the issue themselves but instead now saw their role as providing initial support and signposting the young person to appropriate professional help. Almost all however indicated that they would like further training in this area. Prior to the start of the training all staff completed an online module. Post training there is an expectation that staff will complete a further module. This is currently underway. |
| Scottish Borders |
Training days - 1 training session per month for 2 days per training session 9 secondary staff trained – one from each school 10 staff from primaries also trained |
No response yet |
A number of individual participants gave feedback in summer 2016 through Survey Monkey, covering three of the Local Authorities.
The general feedback on the training is very positive. Comments include:
- Informative
- Interesting
- Worthwhile
- Enjoyed the course
- An excellent course full of practical work
- Beneficial to my client group and my job role
- Think it is worthwhile for teachers who have no previous background in Pupil Support
Before taking part in the training there was a clear need to support participants in developing the skills to approach young people with a mental health problem and to develop confidence in what to say and ask:
- 60% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they had very good knowledge and understanding of mental health/wellbeing of young people
- 60% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they felt confident at identifying when a young person is struggling with a mental health problem
- 56% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they felt confident to approach a young person in this situation
- 45% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they felt confident about what to say or how to ask questions to give the young person initial support
After taking part in the training there was a rise in the number of participants who felt confident in approaching young people and felt confident in what to say and what questions to ask:
- 94% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they had very good knowledge and understanding of mental health/wellbeing of young people
- 94% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they felt confident at identifying when a young person is struggling with a mental health problem
- 94% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they felt confident to approach a young person in this situation
- 94% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they felt confident about what to say or how to ask questions to give the young person initial support
With regard to Curriculum for Excellence:
- 98% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the training met their perceived responsibility to ensure that young people will receive suitable and appropriate support for good mental health now and in the future.
With regard to Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC):
- 96% of participants are more aware of how their role can support a young person who is experiencing a mental health problem
- 96% have shared their knowledge and understanding of mental health/wellbeing of young people with another member of staff
At the time of completing the survey (May 2015, around two months after the training):
- 94% of participants had approached a young person who they thought may have a mental health problem
- 94% of participants had used their new skills to provide initial support to a young person in this situation
- 96% of participants had used the confidence and skills they had acquired to support a member of staff
When self-assessing the impact this training has had on participants' practice with young people, comments included:
- Gave me greater confidence to provided targeted support for unmet needs
- I now feel more confident speaking to young people about mental health issues. I feel a lot more confident about speaking to young people who may be thinking about suicide.
- Increased confidence and agreed way of approaching young people
- Increased confidence in dealing with young people who have mental health issues
I have the ability to assist not just young people, but colleagues also and would have no problem asking if they have thoughts of suicide - Better understanding of issues facing pupils and how it can affect them. I am more considerate in my approach in conversations with pupils.
- More understanding, awareness, openness and greater confidence in talking about issues of mental health and wellbeing.
- Huge - particularly the work around ALGEE and the suicide question. Previously I had understanding, empathy and a commitment to getting it right but I now have practical strategies to support all of that
- I feel more confident in speaking to youngsters on my caseload about mental health Issues. My understanding of mental health issues is clearer and I feel less like to get anxious myself when dealing with youngsters in crisis.
- I feel that if a need would arise that my training would be needed i feel that the pupils would benefit from my training massively.
- Reinforcement of existing knowledge and update on skills surrounding asking and giving advice.
This feedback is very positive. It is clear the Local Authorities have identified mental health and wellbeing as an issue for young people and thus an area of development for staff. All the authorities have used the funding to complete the training for targeted staff in areas of need. Staff evaluations appear to be positive with a growth in knowledge, understanding and confidence. The objective of the project to support staff training, especially in areas of deprivation has been met in all five Local Authorities.
Contact
Email: Rachel.Macpherson@gov.scot
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