Launch of ‘transformative’ children’s mental health programme at UofG
Published: 9 February 2024
Research insight
Jenny Gilruth, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, commended the University of Glasgow for its "transformative and pivotal" program during its launch event. The program aims to equip student teachers with the skills necessary to foster mentally healthy classrooms.
Jenny Gilruth, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, praised the University of Glasgow for its "transformative and pivotal" programme empowering student teachers with the skills and resilience to foster mentally healthy classrooms. Ms Gilruth made these remarks at the launch event of the University’s partnership programme with children’s mental health charity Place2Be on 7 February, coinciding with Children’s Mental Health Week.
The Place2Be ITE (Initial Teacher Education) programme aims to equip student teachers with the resilience, knowledge, and skills to comprehensively support children’s mental health in classrooms. This UK-wide programme, in collaboration with the Universities of Edinburgh and Stirling, is now available to students at the University of Glasgow’s School of Education.
Jenny Gilruth stated, "It is crucial that the next generation of teachers are equipped to support the mental wellbeing of young people in the classroom, especially now, amidst the unprecedented challenges from the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, both of which significantly impact mental health."
During the five-year partnership, a full-time Place2Be clinician, Froydis Engsvik, will be embedded at the School of Education to enhance learning on mental health in a school community context and empower student teachers to contribute to mentally healthy schools.
Froydis Engsvik emphasised the importance of emotional stability for effective learning, stating, "If a child is not emotionally stable, they simply can't access learning... I have seen the impact this support has for teachers."
Si Yates, Place2Be's Director of Operations, expressed delight in the partnership's expansion to the University of Glasgow, enabling the reach of more student teachers.
Professor Kristinn Hermannsson, Head of the School of Education at the University of Glasgow, underscored the importance of mental health resources for student teachers, aiming to create mentally healthy classrooms across Scotland.
ITE students Lewis McIntyre and Michael Third shared their positive experiences with the Place2Be programme, highlighting its support during challenging times. They encouraged struggling student teachers to seek support from Place2Be.
This partnership builds on Place2Be’s successful collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, enhancing the wellbeing, reflective capacity, and confidence of student teachers in supporting children’s mental health. With the programme extending to the University of Glasgow, over a third of all new ITE students in Scotland will benefit from this mental health and resilience-focused resource.
Read the full article on the University of Glasgow news webpage.
First published: 9 February 2024