Mental Health

Statement

Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realises their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. (World Health Organization) Tech Educators aims to become more pro-active in the promotion of Positive Mental Health. Mental health is incredibly important to maintain in a career that can be a high pressured, high demand environment.

We want to:

• Promote positive mental health.
• Inform and provide awareness of common mental health issues.
• Alert staff to early warning signs of mental ill health.
• Provide guidance for staff who support students with their mental health.

Any member of staff or students who are concerned about the mental health or wellbeing of a another person affiliated with Tech Educators, should speak to their course director, or James Adams in the first instance.

Warning signs:

Staff and students may become aware of warning signs which indicate a student is experiencing mental health or emotional wellbeing issues. These warning signs should always be taken seriously and staff observing any of these warning signs should communicate their concerns to a course director, or James Adams.

Possible warning signs include:

• Physical signs of harm that are repeated or appear non-accidental.
• Changes in eating / sleeping habits.
• Increased isolation from friends or family, becoming socially withdrawn.
• Changes in activity and mood.
• Lowering of academic achievement.
• Talking or joking about self-harm or suicide.
• Abusing drugs or alcohol.
• Expressing feelings of failure, uselessness or loss of hope.
• Changes in clothing – e.g. long sleeves in warm weather.
• Secretive behaviour
• Repeated physical pain or nausea with no evident cause.
• An increase in lateness or absenteeism.

As a team, we are prepared to support with mental health issues. Where a situation is recognised that may relate to mental health, we will:

• Move the conversation to a private space, where they will not be disturbed (if not already somewhere appropriate).
• Allow the individual as much time as they need to discuss what their concerns are.
• Be open minded to all that is discussed.
• Try to identify what the cause is and think about potential solutions.
• Create a best solution forward to support with the situation. This may include time adjourning the course, medical support, or extra mentoring and coaching from our staff to complete the course.

We know that every person is an individual, and every situation cannot be explained in this statement. However, our commitment is to creating an open, supportive, nurturing environment that understands and has support structures in place to support our team and students.