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Launching the School Mental Health Innovation Network

Since the pandemic, there’s been a substantial increase in children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing needs. Children and young people (CYP) can struggle to find support due to health inequalities and barriers to accessing clinical care. As a result, schools are increasingly relied upon to support students and their families with mental health difficulties, often without adequate resources, training, or support.

Two attendees looking at posters at the School Mental Health Innovation Network launch event

While research on CYP’s mental health and wellbeing is growing, the interventions available often fail to address the specific needs of schools. Many are too costly to implement, do not align with school priorities, or lack a strong evidence base. This leaves a gap between available research and the practical needs of school communities.

To bridge this gap, the School Mental Health Innovation Network (SMHIN) was established by the Maudsley Education Consultation Service in collaboration with the King’s Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People. This initiative aims to equip schools with tailored, evidence-based interventions and resources that address the specific mental health and wellbeing concerns in their school communities, in a way that is relevant and accessible.

A group of people around tables listening to a presentation at the School Mental Health Innovation Network Launch
Discussions chaired by Dr Jacqueline Phillips Owen

Launching the SMHIN with an interactive workshop

On 11 December 2024, the School Mental Health Innovation Network (SMHIN) launched its first workshop. This event, sponsored by the Maudsley Charity, brought together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, school leaders and young people to discuss ways to improve the mental health and wellbeing (MH&WB) support for young people in South London schools.

The workshop featured presentations from clinicians and researchers about current MH&WB initiatives, as well as from school leads and young people about their concerns and priorities. The day also included poster presentations, panels with key speakers, and roundtable discussions providing participants with an opportunity to delve deeper into key topics, share perspectives, and collaborate on potential solutions. Some of the key themes that emerged from discussions included:

  • The importance of collaboration: emphasising the need for a multidisciplinary approach to mental health in schools, bridging the knowledge and experiences of clinicians, researchers and school communities.

  • Tailored interventions for school communities: highlighting how schools differ in their needs and capacities, and exploring ways to adapt resources to reflect the diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and regional realities of school communities.

  • The impact of social media on young people’s mental health: exploring benefits and challenges, highlighting the need for clearer guidance on how schools and families can navigate these platforms to support students' wellbeing.

Three people in discussion around a table at the School Mental Health Innovations Network Launch
Roundtable discussions

Feedback from the community

Feedback from the workshop was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed excitement, hope and gratitude for this initiative, highlighting the need for such a network.

The workshop provided a space to connect with others who share the same goals and challenges. I left feeling motivated and equipped with new ideas to bring back to my school.– Will Cannock, SEND Lead, Charter Schools Educational Trust
Dr Bruce Clark making a speech at the School Mental Health Innovation Network launch
Dr Bruce Clark
It’s going to be a very exciting future.– Dr Bruce Clark, Clinical Director for CAMHS, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust

Check out the video below highlighting some of the feedback we received from clinicians, researchers and school communities!

The video also features Aché Abrahams, Miss World Caribbean 2023, who is originally from Lewisham, and is an advocate for youth mental health. She attended the workshop, underlining the significance of addressing young people’s mental health and wellbeing needs around the world, starting in South London.

Looking towards the future

The SMHIN team, led by Dr Jacqueline Phillips Owen and Professor Craig Morgan, is committed to building on the momentum of this inaugural workshop. Future events will go deeper into specific challenges and expand opportunities for schools to collaborate with researchers and clinicians.

In fostering these collaborations, the SMHIN aligns with the King’s Maudsley Partnership’s mission, allowing leading researchers, specialist clinicians and school communities to work together and combine their knowledge and expertise to improve the mental health and wellbeing support that’s accessible to young people across London.

Professor Craig Morgan speaking at the School Mental Health Innovation Network Launch
Professor Craig Morgan

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