Campaign calls for mental health revolution in schools

On World Mental Health Day, a new campaign calling for the Government and education sector to make the teaching of mental health and wellbeing strategies statutory from the early years has been launched by the Happy Confident Company and a coalition of supporters across education and mental health sectors.

Backed by supporters including Sir Anthony Seldon, Dr Linda Papadopoulos, Dr Scilla Elworthy, Mo Gawdat and Emma Willis, the Happy Confident Movement is calling for schools, education practitioners and the Government to officially implement 10 minutes a day for mental wellbeing into the school curriculum.

As part of the campaign the Happy Confident Company is offering schools free access to its breakthrough video programme fronted by Emma Willis. Developed specifically for schools, in 10 episodes, and in less than 10 minutes per episode, Willis guides children through psychology-based techniques to promote emotional self-regulation, happiness and resilience.

The Happy Confident TV Programme is developed alongside therapists, parents, psychologists and schools, drawing on evidence that 10 minutes a day to instil positive daily habits can help create happier, more resilient and confident children who can articulate themselves socially and emotionally.

Schools that have already joined the Happy Confident Movement have found embedding small, positive daily habits into a child’s routine, such as social emotional learning, journaling and life skills coaching, can help to make an immeasurable positive impact over time.

Nadim Saad, best-selling author, parenting coach and CEO of the Happy Confident Company, said: “We are in the midst of a youth mental health crisis and consistent early intervention is a key part of the solution.

“The evidence shows 50 per cent of mental health problems are established by the age of 14 and 70 per cent of adolescents with mental health disorders are not diagnosed early enough. We need to be reaching children before that age, helping them understand their emotions and develop resilience to improve their lifelong wellbeing.

“The FEELIT social and emotional learning programme is founded on the latest research in neuroscience and has been developed in partnership with therapists, parents, psychologists and schools. We know it’s making a difference. It’s all about taking a consistent, and science-based approach.

“Whether using our programme or any other well-researched and trialled tools readily available for schools, what matters most is that change is made, and social and emotional learning, personal development and life skills teaching are implemented in primary schools.

“The 10 Minutes Matter campaign invites schools, families and the Government to invest 10 minutes a day to children’s mental wellbeing and see the immeasurable difference it makes over time.

“Given mental health costs England around £105 billion every year, it’s a small investment that has the potential to give lifelong returns.”

Happy Confident TV host Emma Willis says: “Hosting Happy Confident TV is so important to me because it has the potential to help tens of thousands of children feel, understand and process their emotions, as well as better relate to themselves and to others. If we prioritise our children’s wellbeing with just ten minutes every day, it could drastically change their lives in the long run.”

CEO of Action for Happiness Dr Mark Williamson says: "Children's mental wellbeing is so vitally important and underpins everything. By helping young people learn the skills and values to look after their minds as well as their bodies, we not only equip them to cope better in difficult times, we also provide the foundations for better learning, better relationships, better health and better lives. This is the path to a happier world for generations to come.”

Psychologist and advocate Dr Linda Papadopoulos says: “A clear path to the betterment of our nations mental health starts in childhood. Forming positive habits from a young age will help children develop the cognitive tools they need to be emotionally resilient, reflective, confident and happy throughout their lives.”

Prominent mental health advocate Sir Anthony Seldon says: “The evidence is indisputable that early intervention is the foundation of better mental health. Teaching wellbeing in schools can be a life or death issue.”