MENTAL HEALTH
With this month’s Mental Health Awareness Week in mind, Charlotte Phillips finds out how our local schools are taking positive steps for pupil wellbeing W ith Mental Health Awareness Week taking place between 11-17 May, our local schools are fully be struggling and helping them develop functional and healthy coping mechanisms. Mental health matters At Comberton Village College, developing
geared up and ready to participate. And impressive though their plans are, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With children’s wellbeing now a year-round focus, schools are making it an integral part of their educational offering. Quite right too, given the figures. According to MHFAE (Mental Health First Aid England), just over 20% of children and young people had a probable mental health condition in 2023 – almost double what it was six years ago. While children can suffer from poor mental health at any point, age can make a difference, with children at greater risk as they move up through senior school. Greater academic pressure, social media and bullying are among the factors that can have an impact on mental health. Schools, therefore, have a hugely important role to play in spotting when children may
pupils’ mental health and wellbeing is a core part of the school’s ethos. “We promote a broad education, with a focus on personal development,” says principal Victoria Hearn. “Our aim is to create pupils who are ‘caring, confident and capable’, and we promote this through every aspect of the school’s work.” Mental health matters because of the effect it can have on every aspect of life. According to the World Health Organisation, it’s a basic human right – positive mental health allows people to cope with life’s normal stresses, realise their abilities, work (or learn) well and contribute to their community. St Faith’s is one of the local schools creating the conditions for a supportive culture to thrive – starting at a very early age. Pupils as young as four, for example,
END THE STIGMA At Framlingham College green ribbons are worn as a symbol of mental health awareness
52 MAY 2026 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
Powered by FlippingBook