Navigating Your First Year: A Practical Guide for New/Aspiring Mental Health Leads

Maybe you're the first mental health lead your school has had. Maybe you've inherited something half-built. Either way the list is long, and trying to fix it all at once is the quickest way to wear yourself out.

This session helps you do less, and do it well. Pick three priorities for the year that fit your school's plan, then look for small, visible wins and tell people when they happen. Aim for 80% and send the email. Build a cheer squad: colleagues who care, pupils who want to help, and the midday supervisors and office staff children already talk to.

You'll also come away with the one warning sign worth teaching every colleague, which is change. When a pupil's work, mood, appearance or attendance shifts, get curious and start a conversation. And find a mental health lead in another school to share the load with.