Mental Health, Prince Harry and Life To The Full
Young people with mental health issues must be supported and nurtured to live full lives, says Helen Burgess.
Working as a lay chaplain in a secondary school, I was delighted to be asked to attend a ‘Mental Health First Aid Course for Youth’ run by the Diocese of Northampton.
Although many staff are trained to deliver first aid and receive regular updates to ensure we are prepared for the needs of the students, this was the first time I had heard of a Mental Health First Aid Course.
Practical And Informative
The Mental Health First Aid Course was run over two days by MHFA England CIC. It was practical and informative whilst encouraging group participation and sharing.
It was well resourced, providing revision and backup with a handbook for when we returned to the workplace. It assumed no prior knowledge, worked professionally and confidentially whilst allowing for practice based discussion.
A review of the literature, a scan though the media or simply a conversation with teenagers and/ or their parents/ carers confirms that our young people are presenting with an increasing range of mental health concerns.
These range from low self-esteem, friendship worries, the experience of a bereavement, a lack of belonging, to physical health needs relating to eating disorders, self- harm, and substance abuse.
The Mental Health First Aid Course addressed all of these issues, albeit superficially, whilst opening up the themes and dispelling some misconceptions.
A Holistic Approach
Teachers of health promotion have for many decades identified a number of dimensions which contribute to health, including physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual and sexual health (Scriven A. 2010. Promoting Health A Practical Guide: Ewles and Simnett. Bailliere Tindal Elsevier: London) .
The challenge, then, for those of us working with the young, is this: how are we working in all of these areas to bring about a holistic approach which enables an individual to “live life to the full”?
In a faith school, a designated prayer/ reflection space is a good start. However, young people may have some concerns about dropping in!
Therefore, offering a range of opportunities and approaches opens up the possibility of crossing the threshold. Activities which coincide with liturgical seasons such as Advent and Lent can be helpful. Outside areas, prayer gardens, labyrinths and faith walks are also useful.
Speaking Out
In the prayer room itself, focusing on a specific theme has worked very well, allowing students the opportunity to reflect, explore and express.
In recent months, the media have captured the support of the royals to promote Mental Health awareness. YouTubers and Bloggers speaking out helps as well.
These are then conversations which can be explored further in a faith setting.
When Jesus was asked how to live a good life, He gave a holistic response, embracing many dimensions: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbour as yourself." (Luke 10:27).