KING Edward’s Witley and Barrow Hills schools marked World Mental Health Day with a series of talks to pupils, teachers, parents and staff by UK campaigner Natasha Devon.

The leading activist dedicated to raising awareness of mental health issues in schools and colleges, heads the ‘Where’s Your Head At?’ campaign.

The campaign in association with Mental Health First Aid England, aims to improve care standards by ensuring those in charge look after the well-being of others.

Evidence shows the earlier a mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety or depression, are detected the easier they are to manage and treat.

The aim is to raise awareness at schools and at work to make it easier to talk about mental health and ensure there are trained colleagues on site who know where to getthe best help.

Ms Devon visits schools and colleges across the UK delivering presentations and conducting research with teenagers, teachers and parents.

Each of her talks was well attended and tailored to the age of the audience. She spoke to Barrow Hills’ years seven and eight pupils and years 9-11 as well as sixth form students at King Edward’s, along with teachers and parents.

‘Where’s your Head at?’ hopes to change UK law to offer greater protection for people suffering with mental health problems, Ms Devon presented a petition containing more than 200,000 signatures at No. 10 Downing Street earlier this month.

The petition calls on the Government to update the Health and Safety At Work Act to ensure businesses have to provide mental health first-aiders as well as medical first-aiders.

Ms Devon covered topics such as coping with stress, positive mental health, and body image awareness.

The Mental Health Foundation, says increasing numbers of pupils are struggling to cope with their mental health amid rising rates of depression, anxiety and self-harm.

Ms Devon believes good mental health is fundamental to enable young people to thrive. A recent YouGov survey of 1,323 youngsters determined how feelings of being ‘worried or sad’ affected their behaviour.

The survey found that:–

nThirty 38 per cent said it caused them difficulty with going to sleep

nOne-in-four aid it caused them to struggle to do their homework

nMore than a quarter said they got into fights or arguments – and didn’t want to be around others.

Ms Devon said: “I want to make it easier to talk about mental health.

“Evidence shows the earlier a mental health issue, such as stress, anxiety and depression, is detected, the easier it is to manage and treat.”

King Edward’s personal, social, health and economic education co-ordinator Naomi Skau, who organised the visit, said: “The school has a long-standing tradition for its unrivalled commitment to pastoral care.

“One of our top priorities at King Edward’s is the health and wellbeing of our pupils, particularly at a time when young people are facing unprecedented levels of pressure in life which can lead to anxiety and depression. Emotional well-being is critical to developing a healthy successful school and we have key measures in place to encourage pupils to talk to their teachers about any issues.”