Mental Health in Schools Working Group minutes: June 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) (Chair)
• Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS)
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
• Education Scotland
• Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS)
• National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT)
• School Leaders Scotland (SLS)
• UNISON
• Mental Health Directorate, Scottish Government
• NHS Education Scotland
• Health and Wellbeing Unit, Scottish Government (secretariat)

Items and actions

Welcome and apologies

The chair welcomed attendees. Introductions and apologies were made.

Minutes from the last meeting

Members were content with the minutes from the last meeting.

Action: SG to publish minutes on the Scottish Government website.

Update on Resources and Next Steps

At the previous meeting, the group agreed to explore awareness and usage of the Online Professional Learning Resource and the Whole School Approach (WSA) Framework. A Microsoft Form was circulated through networks to gather feedback.

SG update on findings:

• Around 500 responses were received. Most schools and local authorities were not aware of the resource or the WSA Framework.
• Where there was awareness, usage was low – largely due to time and capacity pressures.

Discussion and agreements:

• Members supported the proposal to update the existing online resource, starting with broken links and outdated content.
• SG will grant members ‘reviewer’ rights so they can directly flag updates required.
• Suggested inviting mental health focused organisations (e.g Mental Health Foundation, PHS, NES) to review the content of the resource.
• It was agreed CPD accreditation would be unlikely to increase engagement with the resource.
• Important to align with the CfE Improvement Cycle work.
• Once the resource is fit-for-purpose, develop a communications plan (may include contacting CPD leads, health and wellbeing leads, Directors of Education and exploring NES digital learning map links).

Actions:

• SG to grant reviewer rights to members.
• SG to invite mental health focused organisations to review the content of the resource.
• All members to review the resource, flagging broken links/outdated content before the next meeting.
• SG to engage with Education Scotland on CfE Improvement Cycle links.

Suicide prevention in education discussion paper

Following the last meeting’s agreement to explore specific topics in depth, COSLA presented a paper on suicide prevention in education, outlining current activity, schools’ roles and potential next steps. Key discussion points included:

• Support services surrounding schools are key.
• Current guidance is extensive – could be distilled into shorter, more practical formats.
• If a child or young person (CYP) discloses suicidal thoughts to any staff member is there a clear protocol to follow?
• Time, Space, Compassion resource is valuable but time-intensive – schools need quick-response tools.
• Confidence gaps exist across the system.
• Helpful informed and skilled level professional learning available at: https://education.gov.scot/resources/safeguarding-self-harm-and-suicide-prevention/
• Strong preventative work and clear escalation routes are essential.
• Existing systems are important in this space (school counsellors and community mental health services, for example).
• Possible to include suicide prevention content in the Whole School Approach Framework, alongside standalone guidance to address stigma and fear.
• Suggested developing a one-page escalation flowchart with key contacts.
• Recognition of existing expertise in schools – avoid duplicating but improve access to information.
• Staff wellbeing needs to be factored into any approach.
• Consider referencing linked areas such as child protection, anti-bullying, online safety, and support for high-risk groups (e.g neurodiverse CYP, those with mental health difficulties).

Summary and next steps:

• Prioritise practical, concise tools to support crisis management.
• Focus initially on crisis response, given current concerns, while recognising the importance of prevention.
• Align with NES resources and the online professional learning resource.
• Produce a one-page escalation process document.
• Explore including suicide prevention within WSA and as a standalone resource.
• Celebrate and share examples of effective preventative work in schools.
• Consider staff support needs when engaging with sensitive topics.

Action: COSLA to summarise discussion and propose actions via email.

AOB

SG to provide summary to Joint Strategic Board on the work of this group.

PHS reviewing cluster guidance – members welcome to be involved.  

Stories for podcast will be ready in next 2 weeks – members to circulate.