Kate launches mental health website for primary schools

The Duchess of Cambridge will launch a new website later to allow primary school children to get better mental health support in school.

The online resource called Mentally Healthy Schools will be available to all primary school teachers and staff, and provide a one stop shop for advice and practical ideas that they can use in the classroom.

It's the latest announcement from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry as a result of their Heads Together campaign which has seen charities and experts work together to look at where there are gaps in current mental health provision.

Mental health problems in children and young people have been a key focus for the Duchess of Cambridge, who has taken an interest in how early intervention can stop problems later in life.

More than half of all mental health problems in adult life start by the age of 14, with as many as one in 10 young children experiencing a mental health issue before the age of 11.

Kate will visit Roe Green Junior School, Brent to launch the website. They are one of the schools that has been trialling the new resource.

There are currently lots of websites offering advice for teachers, but many find it difficult to know what sites give the most appropriate information or distinguish which have been verified by experts.

Mentally Healthy Schools will cover four main areas : Teaching Resources, Risks and Protective Factors, Mental Health Needs, and 'Whole School Approach' for school leaders.

Former Head Teacher, Claire Thomson, one of the Quality Assurance Advisors to the website said: "I can see this website becoming a favourite go-to site for information about the many aspects of mental health.

"I think it is really important that all school staff feel that the information applies to them as well, not just to teachers.

"So, no matter what their role in the school, they need to have an understanding and empathy towards all the children."

Education Standards Minister Nick Gibb said: "This government wants every young person to grow up feeling confident about themselves and their future - but too often mental health issues can have a lifelong impact, starting by affecting performance at school, and ultimately limiting work and life opportunities.

"That's why in December we launched the mental health green paper to look at how we can make sure that children and young people are able to get the right support when they need it.

"The website being launched today will provide information to schools and teachers so they can provide effective pastoral support and help them to obtain specialist treatment where needed."