Nina Smith is driven by the memory of her brother Will, who died by suicide days before she started a mental health Masters degree at the University.
She was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to research school-based suicide prevention strategies in Australia and the US and her recently published findings, compiled as a practical blueprint of support strategies, are now helping to inform teacher training and ongoing teacher education at Edge Hill – including the creation of a new primary mental health and wellbeing PGCE.
A former teacher and mum of two young girls, Nina said: “Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people and schools are on the front lines of this crisis. Training teachers to recognise signs and respond effectively saves lives.
“By working closely with schools in the US and Australia, world-leading organisations and global experts in this field, I’ve gained deep insights into proven methods and practical steps schools can take to support young people’s mental health and prevent suicides.
“I’m truly heartened by Edge Hill’s commitment to implement my findings; the University is not only leading the way in this field but also setting a path for other universities to follow, creating lasting change across the UK.”
Nina presented her research at an event to mark the first anniversary of Edge Hill’s Centre for Mental Health, Sport and Physical Activity Research (CMSPR). As part of the Faculty of Education, the centre undertakes high-quality research and knowledge exchange with proven positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, and those who work in education, as well as families, communities and professional sports organisations.
Nina’s School-based Suicide Prevention Strategies report is helping to inform the Faculty’s plans to improve mental health and prevent suicide among children and young people. These plans include:
- The introduction of a new PGCE Primary Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist with QTS;
- Providing trainee teachers with training in mental health and suicide awareness;
- Providing partner schools and colleges with resources on how to support children and young people;
- Offering professional development opportunities for trainees and qualified teachers.
Dr Helen O’Keeffe, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Faculty of Education, said: “Our extensive partnerships of schools have repeatedly identified mental health and suicide prevention as a significant challenge they face, often without appropriate training, resource and support.
“We plan to use our own research and the findings from Nina’s report to inform our future work with schools, in line with our mission to work creatively to enhance life chances.”
Professor Andy Smith, CMSPR Director and Head of Department for Secondary and Further Education, commended Nina’s research for identifying a clear need for change.
“Informed by our own research, the report makes several valuable recommendations which we will use to work with our partner schools, education settings and other collaborators to create practical solutions which help address mental health and prevent suicide among our young people.”
Edge Hill’s plans build on a strong foundation of mental health research and the success of existing programmes such as Tackling the Blues – a multi-award-winning sport and arts-based mental health and wellbeing programme for children and young people in partnership with Everton in the Community – and Arts for the Blues – a creative arts-based group intervention for people with depression, low mood and anxiety in collaboration with University of Salford.
Nina acknowledges real change needs to come from the top and she is also lobbying policymakers. She has met with public health leaders and children and young people commissioners for Greater Manchester who are keen to implement the recommendations across all schools in the region.
Next steps include presenting her Churchill Fellowship report to the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care as they explore adding suicide awareness to the national relationships, sex and health education curriculum.
Mike Palmer MBE, from 3 Dads Walking – a group of mental health campaigners who all lost their daughters to suicide – shared his lived experience at the Edge Hill event alongside Nina.
He added: “Academic qualifications are worth nothing if you don’t have a happy, resilient young person to use them.
“Helping our schools, colleges and universities become safe, caring environments in which everyone is physically and mentally healthy, happy and ready to learn is paramount.
“A societal change is needed with the Department for Education leading the way by recognising and supporting our education providers to build the foundations of excellent mental health as a priority. Government funding and resource would certainly save and enhance the lives of our young people.”
Discover more about research at Edge Hill University.
November 18, 2024
