It’s part of my job, but it’s not my job”: exploring the role of senior mental health leads (SMHLS) and their perceptions of mental health within mainstream secondary schools

Harrison, Catherine Elisabeth (2023). It’s part of my job, but it’s not my job”: exploring the role of senior mental health leads (SMHLS) and their perceptions of mental health within mainstream secondary schools. University of Birmingham. Ap.Ed.&ChildPsy.D.

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Abstract

The role schools play in supporting students’ mental health, particularly for adolescents, has been continually increasing and diversifying over the past two decades. However, whilst settings continue to adapt to roles and responsibilities related to government policy and guidance, limited consideration has been given to staff perceptions of their own roles relating to supporting students’ mental health, and how staff construe ‘mental health’. This current study chose to focus on the views of staff who have taken on a particular role recently introduced to schools: Senior Mental Health Leads (SMHLs). These are staff who have a particular responsibility towards promoting and developing mental health supports within their settings. Within this study, five SMHLs completed semi-structured interviews, including a diamond ranking activity, and an externalising objects activity. Thematic analysis generated themes related to the role of a SMHL (including how SMHLs perceive their role identity, pastoral responsibilities, strategic role elements, and learning and development); barriers and facilitators to this role; and their perceptions of specific SMHL training. SMHLs also discussed their perceptions of ‘mental health’, highlighting the nuanced and personal nature of mental health, as well as the variety of conceptualisations held. The complexity of the SMHL role is presented, alongside a call for further support from government agencies, school leadership members, and relevant professionals, such as educational psychologists. This includes consideration of a team to support mental health delivery and strategy within school settings, and further ways to implement meaningful training opportunities and staff supervision.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ap.Ed.&ChildPsy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ap.Ed.&ChildPsy.D.

Supervisor(s):