@darynsimon @Claire_Ryan12 True but it would be helpful @if they were aware of telltale signs of possible issues. Sometimes a child can mask their issues in one setting but not another. A child who starts to show changes to their demeanour may need help, but it’s certainly not the teachers job to solve it.

@darynsimon This is true but learning is a lifelong process and if the children in your classroom causes a focus on a particular subject this should be applauded. I am not a teacher but work with kids & have focused on learning about play and autism.

@darynsimon I do agree with this but teachers are sometimes the first line of defence for those children as well. We need to be listened to and information shared both ways. More funding for all services needs to happen!

@darynsimon @C_Hendrick Well said: teachers are always expected to fix societies’ ills, when in fact, that is the government’s responsibility.

@darynsimon So true. Yes we are often the start of the recognition process & need to be informed...but as a HT I spend hours chasing support that doesn't exist. Mental health first aiders should be just that. St John's Ambulance don't do any surgery & follow up care do they?!

@darynsimon I disagree Daryn. What we need is a culture shift in society and school so mental health issues don’t arise. I’d start with our appalling focus on grades and targets and SATS and GCSEs. Delete those and we might have a happier, healthier 16 year old starting sixth form.

@darynsimon @HYWEL_ROBERTS You’re mistaken. It’s super easy to be a MH expert when you’re managing up to 200 kids a day, while personalising learning in a system that demands standardisation, and following consistent rules but remembering to make personal adjustments & always keeping purple pens available

@darynsimon Possibly NHS,social services and education need to have a greater level of joined up thinking.

@darynsimon @Jhn__G Totally agree - teachers need to focus on their own mental health!

@darynsimon You won't get that but we could have a better school system for free ..

@darynsimon @SLT_Worcs I agree completely, but what can be lacking is even basic knowledge of how to support CYP with mental health issues eg knowledge of how severe anxiety might manifest in behaviour. From a health care professional and mum of a teenager with anxiety/depression.

@darynsimon What about “loving parents”?

@darynsimon Absolutely. But it's not going to happen is it. It's going the other way - this government...

@darynsimon Teachers do an unbelieveable amount to support the MH of their children but we arent trained experts. So when we ask the trained experts they tell us to 'speak to the parents' 'try an EHAT' really? Like we havent tried everything already but we need other agency support.

@darynsimon I would also add that we work in the arena of mental health, totally paralysed by fear that we might be doing the wrong thing for these kids. As is stated, I’m not an expert, but it’s the majority of what I do.

@darynsimon What does it say about our education system, when it makes our kids ill? Nick Gibb, Damian Hinds, stop talking about fucking funding “in real terms” and look at the people behind the figures. Education is meant to be fun and stimulating. Not like walking the plank