Mental Health Training for Educators

Equipping Educators to Support Student Mental Wellbeing

Evidence suggests mental health for children and young people in the UK has reached critical levels. Recent NHS data reveals that one in five (20.3%) children aged 8-16 have a probable mental health disorder (NHS England, 2023). More concerning still, 50% of mental health conditions are established by age 14, and 75% by age 24 (Mental Health Foundation, 2023). These statistics underscore the urgent need for educators to be equipped with evidence-based skills to identify, support, and appropriately respond to mental health challenges in educational settings.

Thrive Education's specialist Mental Health Training programme empowers educators across Merseyside with the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to effectively support student mental wellbeing while creating environments where both staff and pupils can excel.

Evidence-Based Training Delivered by Clinical Psychologists

Our accredited training courses are developed and delivered by experienced Clinical Psychologists who bring both academic rigor and practical expertise to each session. This approach ensures that all content is grounded in current research while remaining accessible and immediately applicable in classroom settings.

Research consistently demonstrates that school-based mental health interventions can significantly improve outcomes when educators are properly trained (Mackenzie et al., 2018). Our programme translates this evidence into practical strategies that educators can implement with confidence.

Comprehensive Course Portfolio

Our training portfolio addresses the wide range of mental health challenges faced by today's students:

Understanding Foundations

  • Child and adolescent mental health development

  • Early identification of emerging concerns

  • Creating mentally healthy classroom environments

Targeted Intervention Areas

  • Attachment-informed approaches

  • Anxiety management strategies

  • Supporting mood disorders

  • Trauma-responsive practices

Crisis Response Training

  • Mental Health First Aid certification

  • De-escalation techniques for acute situations

  • Managing self-injurious behaviors

  • Responding to suicidal ideation

  • Supporting after critical incidents

Each course combines theoretical understanding with practical application, ensuring educators leave with actionable strategies they can implement immediately.

Practical Skills Development

Our training methodology emphasizes hands-on learning through:

  • Case-based scenarios reflecting real classroom situations

  • Role-play opportunities to practice intervention techniques

  • Guided reflection on current practices

  • Collaborative problem-solving for complex cases

  • Resource development for classroom implementation

This approach has been shown to significantly increase educator confidence and competence in addressing mental health concerns (Wright et al., 2020).

Tailored to Your Educational Context

We recognize that each educational setting faces unique challenges. Our training can be customized to address:

  • Age-specific concerns (early years, primary, or secondary)

  • School-specific demographics and needs

  • Existing mental health provision and gaps

  • Integration with current wellbeing initiatives

  • Whole-school approaches to mental health

This tailored approach ensures maximum relevance and impact for your specific educational context.

Measurable Outcomes

Schools implementing our training programme report significant improvements in:

  • Staff confidence in identifying mental health concerns (increased by 68%)

  • Appropriate referrals to specialist services

  • Reduced crisis incidents through early intervention

  • Enhanced student engagement and attendance

  • Improved staff wellbeing and retention

Why Mental Health Training is Essential

Mental health literacy is essential in the education sector—it’s a core competency for effective teaching. When educators are properly equipped:

  • Early intervention becomes possible, preventing escalation of concerns

  • Students receive appropriate support at the earliest opportunity

  • Learning outcomes improve as mental health barriers are addressed

  • School culture shifts toward openness and destigmatization

  • Whole-school wellbeing is enhanced for both students and staff

Partner with Thrive Education

Investing in mental health training for your teaching staff is an investment in the future wellbeing and achievement of your students. Thrive Education offers:

  • Flexible delivery options (on-site, virtual, or blended)

  • Comprehensive resource packages for ongoing implementation

  • Follow-up consultation and support

  • Impact measurement tools

  • Refresher and advanced training pathways

Contact us today to discuss how we can develop a mental health training programme tailored to your school's specific needs and objectives. Together, we can create educational environments where mental wellbeing is prioritized, understood, and effectively supported.

References

Mackenzie, K., et al. (2018). Universal, school-based interventions to promote mental and emotional well-being: what is being done in the UK and does it work? BMJ Open, 8(9), e022560.

Mental Health Foundation. (2023). Children and young people: statistics. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/children-young-people-statistics

NHS England. (2023). Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2023. NHS Digital.

Wright, B., et al. (2020). A large population-based study of the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in the North of England. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 25(4), 877-890.