Anna Freud launches resource hub to support college mental health leads

Mental health leads in colleges can now benefit from a new digital resource hub on the Mentally Healthy Schools website.

Anna Freud, in partnership with and funded by the Department for Education, has collaborated with a range of education and mental health experts, including the Association of Colleges, to produce a new library for mental health leads and other education staff.

The hub signposts and showcases practical resources and tools and is designed to support mental health leads to embed a whole-school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing. You can access the hub here.

Jen Hope, AoC Area Director (E&W Midlands) and Senior Policy Lead on Mental Health, said: “At AoC, we were excited to be involved in the development of this new digital resource. The new hub provides welcome guidance for senior mental health leads and practitioners in colleges, providing quality information, advice and guidance to enhance approaches to and delivery of mental health support services.

“It has been an invaluable opportunity to be a part of the conversation to create this space to address growing complex mental health needs within our learning communities, and we are committed to supporting its continued evolution."

David Johnston, Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, said: “I know school staff want to do everything they can to promote and support the mental health of their pupils. That’s why I’m delighted to welcome this new resource to help support the ongoing training of mental health leads in schools and colleges across England.”

Jaime Smith, Anna Freud’s Schools Division Director, said: “We are delighted to launch this new digital resource hub for mental health leads. This hub makes it easier for school and college staff to find the information needed to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in their care.”