The School Mental Health Toolkit: A practical guide to supporting the whole school community

(Paperback)

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The School Mental Health Toolkit is the essential practical guide to supporting the mental health of our young people in schools, providing a holistic approach to school culture, learning habits and impactful interventions.

The School Mental Health Toolkit lays out a practical and supportive approach to tackling the mental health crisis in schools through promoting a positive and supportive school culture. This book supports you to identify needs, make referrals, offer universal provision and empower young people to understand their own mental health, build resilience, challenge stigma and prejudice, foster compassion, talk about their own needs and ask for help.

From experienced school leader and mental health trainer Andrew Cowley, this book tackles the crisis and challenges that have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Andrew includes specific support for the Designated Mental Health Lead, as well as for leaders, promoting buy-in for a positive mental health culture across the whole school. This book demonstrates how creating positive school culture, as well as effective safeguarding practices and curriculum design, works to robustly support healthy learning habits, positive mental health and wellbeing for pupils throughout their education.

Reviews

The School Mental Health Toolkit not only provides you with the knowledge but the practical next steps to improving provision in your school. A must for any school leader. -- Ben Hobbis * Primary School Middle Leader and Founder of the Step Up Network CIC, @MrBHobbis on X *
The School Mental Health Toolkit provides practical support for school leaders and teachers to prioritise wellbeing and embed it in their practice through the helpful 'THINK' (Time, Holistic, Inclusive, Non-judgmental, Knowledgeable) acronym. -- Ben Levinson OBE * Director of School and Trust Improvement and Executive Headteacher, X @mrlev *
Andrew Cowley does it again! This is another excellent resource for schools that want to embed an effective whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing. Not only does Andrew's wisdom shine through but the wide range of school case studies bring the ideas to life and show other schools a way forward. -- Adrian Bethune * Founder of Teachappy, @AdrianBethune on X *
The breadth and depth of diverse perspectives in this new book makes it an invaluable guide for Mental Health First Aiders looking to create strategic and operational impact within their educational setting. -- Bukky Yusuf * Senior Leader and Educational Consultant, @bukkyyusufofficial *
Andrew Cowley doesn't just walk the walk, he does it with compassion, kindness and authority. A must read for anyone involved with Mental Health in education! -- Kerry Bridges * Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead, @CSandL *
As a leader of wellbeing in international schools, I found this book affirming and motivating, emphasising compassion, cultural understanding, and practical strategies to create inclusive wellbeing initiatives for school communities. -- Rhiannon Phillips-Bianco * Head of Wellbeing, Globeducate. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhiannon-phillips-bianco-5148a4200/ *
This book is a must have. Andrews expertise is evident, and up to date research is presented in an accessible way. Andrew understands the context that busy practitioners are working in and offers practical strategies, engaging case studies and carefully thought out opportunities to reflect. -- Sarah Watkins * Lecturer and author, @mini_lebowski on twitter *
From staffroom to classroom, this treasure chest of golden nuggets transforms mental health support from theory to action. The practical handbook every modern school needs! -- Aimee Presnall * Founder of Well-Nest *
Andrew Cowley drops the rhetoric and clichs, cutting straight to the 'why' and 'how' of promoting positive mental health in schools. The unique "THINK" framework Time, Holistic, Inclusive, Non-judgemental, Knowledgeable provides a refreshing and practical roadmap for schools to foster student & staff wellbeing. -- Clare Erasmus * Editor of Mental Health in Schools Insights Journal, The Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, Leeds Beckett University, Author of The Designated Mental Health Lead Planner: A Guide and Checklist for the School Year, Head of Digital Technology and Communications Department at Miltoncross Academy *
Andrews latest book connects the dots for a holistic approach to mental health in education. As an educator, I found it essential. Highly recommended for anyone in the field! -- Arv Kaushal * Head of EDI & People Development (MK College Group), Bluesky @arv-kaushal.bsky.social X @arv_kaushal *
This insightful guide equips all members of a school community with practical tools and inspiring connections to cultivate a positive school culture. -- Fiona Hims * Educational Content Executive, NAHT *
A great book that de-bunks wellbeing myths, highlights the flaws of tokenism in wellbeing and gives realistic, practical tools to look after the mental health and wellbeing of the whole school community. A must for any staff CPD library! -- Nic Owen * Zennic Wellbeing Ltd. @sphoenix78 on X *
Andrew sweeps through great breadth in a way that is useful for experts and novices alike, and is packed with fascinating case studies that bring everything to life. -- Dr Kate Woodcock * Reader in Applied Clinical Psychology *
This is an accessible book, full of advice and implementable ideas and strategies. An important read for anyone leading on and interested in whole school development and wellbeing in education! -- Louise Pennington * Head of Professional Development, Oxford University Press *
The School Mental Health Toolkit by Andrew Cowley is an invaluable resource for educators and leaders in schools. Bringing together voices from students, parents, schools in the UK and internationally, it is a timely resource which gives readers practical insight and support. The THINK themes which stand for Time, Holistic, Inclusive, Non-Judgemental and Knowledgeable are useful tools which help educators to advocate for young people's mental health. Andrew Cowley skilfully explores how schools can develop positive behaviours for learning and mental health by drawing on a wealth of experience from schools in different contexts from the UK and beyond. -- Clare Campbell * @ClareCampbell7 Mum, learner, headteacher, Dr of Education, art lover, author of A Year of Mindfulness, Drawn to the Word, Be the Change and What is Beauty *
With data and personal stories continuing to highlight how mental health and wellbeing remains a 'sticky problem' for young people and teachers, this book is pertinent to all those working within and beyond education, whatever your role or experience. -- Catherine Carden * Academic Staff Tutor at The Open University & Education Consultant and Coach. X = @catliscar *
This book offers practical strategies to create a proactive, whole-school culture of care, prioritising mental health, resilience, and well-being for both staff and students something we all need to embrace. -- Maria Brosnan * accomplished author and leadership coach, specialising in resilience and wellbeing for educators, with a passion for empowering individuals to thrive in both personal and professional spheres. *

Author Bio

Andrew Cowley is an experienced former school leader in London and is passionate about teacher and pupil wellbeing in schools. He is the author of the popular teacher wellbeing guides The Wellbeing Toolkit and The Wellbeing Curriculum and co-founder of Healthy Toolkit (@HealthyToolkit), an organisation dedicated to encouraging and advancing teacher wellbeing. Along with the Healthy Toolkit team, he promotes changing attitudes and outlooks, and leads discussions on mindfulness and wellbeing. Follow Andrew for more @andrew_cowley23.