Minutes:
The Board considered a report of the
Strategic Director, Communities, which provided Members with information on the
forthcoming Mental Health Awareness Promoted in School (MHAPS) pilot to be
delivered in Warrington.
The Board was advised that the Joint Health
and Children, Young People and Families PPB Mental Health Scrutiny Topic Group
had been particularly interested in the pilot, as young people were
increasingly vulnerable to social pressures and at risk of developing poor
mental health. Although the pilot was being undertaken in Warrington, it was
anticipated that it would be rolled out across the rest of the 5 Boroughs
footprint during the second half of 2014.
The Board was further advised that the pilot’s foundations had developed
from a general lack of awareness regarding mental health issues amongst
secondary school aged pupils; the perceived stigma that was associated with
mental illness; the lack of understanding about what services were available
and how pupils could seek support. A short film ‘You’re not alone’, based
around the day in the life of a young person with Mental Health problems,
produced by Investing in Children Group from Halton
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) had also been
produced.
It was reported that Thomas Boteler High School
in Warrington
had been selected for the initial pilot. The reason for this school being
chosen was that CAMHS had an established link with the school through a
well-being worker at the school who would be able to
offer support to the pilot.
It was also reported that
the Pilot will be trialled
across Year 9 pupils and consist of each pupil attending at least one dedicated
lesson within the Health, Physical and Social Education curriculum which would
address mental health stigma and awareness raising. It was anticipated that the pilot would be
undertaken between February – May 2014. The pilot
would be evaluated by pre and post session questionnaires, and would be
overseen by CAMHS clinical and operational management.
Ms Hannah Smith, 5 Boroughs
Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and an ex CAMHS service user attended the
meeting to inform the Members of her personal experience and explain how the
pilot would operate.
The following comments arose
from the discussion:-
·
It was noted that the pilot was for Year
9 pupils and the information/participation would be kept as simple as
possible. It was anticipated that there
would be a celebrity exercise on ‘How life goes on’; a scenario exercise on how
to deal with mental health; a fact or fiction quiz; a mental health word search
and a self help booklet which contained links to
various relevant websites would be given to individuals;
·
Clarity was sought on whether cyber
bullying would be addressed. In reply,
it was reported that this issue would not be directly addressed but information
on how to deal with cyber bullying would be available through the links, i.e videos and stories available for pupils to access to
help them deal with the situation;
·
It was noted that generally it was more
difficult for boys than girls to engage and to open up and discuss their
problems. The Board wished Hannah every
success with the pilot and congratulated her on her courage and enthusiasm; and
·
It was reported that it was hoped that
the project would eventually be extended to Colleges and Members indicated that
they looked forward to receiving the project in Halton.
RESOLVED: That
(1)
The
report be noted:
(2)
The comments
raised be sent to the Pilot Co-ordinator for consideration; and
(3) Hannah Smith be thanked for her informative verbal presentation and excellent work to date.
Supporting documents: