GSA Research Fellow, Andrea Taylor, has worked with NHS Grampian and pupils from Forres Academy on a project looking at mental health issues and young people. The outcome of the project, a poster promoting good mental health, has now bee unveiled.
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| GSA Research Fellow, Andrea Taylor, with pupils of Forres Academy and the poster they produced to help prompt conversations among young people about promoting good mental health. |
34 pupils – of all ages – participated in focus groups designed to get their views about being involved in the design of digital tools, such as websites and apps, for promoting good mental health among people their age. The groups also discussed attitudes towards mental health, and who or where they would seek help and support from if they or a friend were struggling.
Andrea Taylor, Research Fellow from the School of Design at GSA said “The group discussions were very mature and informative. One of the issues raised by the pupils is that more information is needed in schools about mental health.
For this reason, and to ensure a legacy from the work the groups had done, we recommended producing a poster for display in schools, libraries, community centres and so on.”
Susan Leslie, Area Public Health Coordinator, said“Mental health is one of the top public health challenges in the UK. In any given year, one in ten children and young people (aged 5-16 years) is likely to have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem.
Children and young people do better if they have good mental health. They are happier in their families, are able to learn better, do better at school, have the confidence to try things out, and enjoy friendships and new experiences. By providing the right information, guidance and support to children and young people, the chances of developing enduring mental health problems as an adult are reduced.”
The project steering group includes representation from NHS Grampian Forres Public Health Nursing Team and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), Moray Council Engagement Team and Educational Psychology Service and Forres area Community Trust (FACT).
Funding from the Mental Health Innovation fund was used to design and print the poster. It is now on display in Forres Academy and will be made available to other secondary schools in Moray.
Carol Stuart, Head Teacher from Forres Academy said “I hope these posters will prompt conversations among young people about promoting good mental health. I am incredibly proud of our pupils and the mature and thoughtful way they have approached this project.”