We’ve always understood how vital positive mental health is in order for education to take place and for life to be enjoyed, so we are pleased to be making mental health our official focus for this academic year. It’s something that is taken really seriously here at Breakthrough, in a number of ways, and our therapeutic approach to education enables such a focus to take centre stage.
We aim to be a trauma-infused organisation, recognising that safety, trust, choice, collaboration and empowerment are important principles to work by. Our staff receive training to spot and support signs of mental health difficulties; these can be varied so staff are trained in a range of issues. If you would like to understand more about the breadth of mental health issues, the charity Mind has an excellent A to Z of Mental Health on its website.
Staff are trained in listening skills, so that we can ensure every learner placed with us is heard and feels listened to and understood. Each centre also has a mental health assistant, and of course we have our counselling service, which many students find to be invaluable. Our Families team always try to look out for the mental health of our parents and carers too.
The mental health of our colleagues is important too. In order to be able to safely hold the mental health of students, we strive to be a positive, happy, supportive place to work as well as to learn. Our Mental Health Lead heads all this up for both staff and students, and is a regular visitor at all centres.
If you would like to learn more about our approach, you can find our new Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing policy here.
