The new journal School Mental Health Promotion has made their inaugural issue available for free download.
One of their articles 'School Mental Health: Politics, Power and Practice' really struck a cord. I am very passionate about the methodologies of maximising student's mental health in schools, and in life in general. The article highlights some important issues I have been mulling over for some time. Many schools are very focused on interventions for students struggling emotionally and further single issue focus points, sex, nutrition and drug education. These should ideally be only part of a whole school approach to being well and creating a school environment for children to have the opportunity to thrive, rather than ones where they are coping, should be our vision for schools. I really believe that we can inject energy and wellness into schools without the usual negative analysis phase. It is what good leadership should be about.
To quote from the article:
"The school community's status as a 'healthy place' involves the culture and conditions in the physical and psychosocial environments of school for students, staff, parents and the wider community........"
