Healthy Minds – Moray Mental Health Framework Pilot Project

This seminar will report on a project designed to take a whole school approach to developing the strategic aims set out in 'The Mental Health Framework for Children and Young People: A Framework for Promotion, Prevention and Care' (2005), produced following the SNAP report on the mental health of children and young people. Activity is directed towards children, young people, parents, education staff and other adults providing support or connected to an area school group, encompassing Primary and Secondary schools and their local community network.

The project, led by Clinical Psychologist, Dr Chris Wiles, Lossiemouth High School Health Co-ordinator (Cathy Reilly) and Health Improvement Officers (Schools), is being piloted in the Lossiemouth and Milne's Associated School's Groups.

The main aims of the project are:

• Raise awareness of mental health throughout school communities (pupils, parent and staff)

• Provide training for identical staff to enable them to support young people better and to create better links to specialist services

• Development of a 'Mental Health Toolkit' to provide trained staff with a guide for understanding young people's mental health.