Notice the early signs of mental health issues
It is important to remember that an individual’s mental health is not fixed or static; it can change depending upon a range of circumstances. There is a continuum with positive mental health at one end, emerging mental health difficulties in the middle and more serious mental health conditions at the other end. Depending on circumstances, an individual can move back and forth along this continuum. This movement is influenced by a complex interplay of social, psychological, biological and cultural elements in everyone’s life.
As an educator, you have a unique perspective and opportunity to objectively observe how children and young people in your care might be placed along this continuum.
What you'll learn through this module
- Understand where you are along the mental health continuum
- Articulate what the mental health continuum is
- Identify how changes in behaviours, emotional responses, expressed thoughts, learning outcomes and social interactions might indicate a child or young people is experiencing a mental health challenge
- Understand what a stepped care approach is
- Understand how to objectively observe children and young people, and how to record these observations