As a new school year gets underway, The High School of Glasgow Junior School is not just celebrating the start of new academic challenges. Together with Purple House Clinic (PHC) Glasgow, they’re marking three successful years of a partnership dedicated to the mental and emotional wellbeing of their pupils.
When the pandemic’s ripple effects began to manifest in every aspect of our lives, Heather Fuller, the head teacher at The High School of Glasgow Junior School, knew the school needed to step up its mental health support. Her vision brought PHC Glasgow, known for its expertise in children’s mental health, into the school’s community. This partnership not only offered pupils the professional mental health support they might need but also empowered the school staff with resources and training to be responsive in times of need.
“From the outset, there has been an overwhelming response from both teachers and parents towards the initiative,” expressed Mireille Wallace, Senior Psychologist at PHC Glasgow. “The pandemic had a huge impact on everyday life, and readjusting afterwards was a really challenging period for children. School isn’t just about learning, it’s a hub for social interactions and it can take time to redevelop those experiences. It’s really important even at a young age to have an outlet to discuss mental health. Tackling the problem early stops it developing further later in life. Our alliance ensures teachers have a trusted resource for their mental health queries.”
With regular drop-in clinics and a designated ‘Chill Out Zone’ for students needing a respite, Mireille has become an essential part of the school’s pastoral care. She doesn’t stop at reactive care. Her proactive measures, like leading sessions for pupils, parents, and teachers about various mental health topics, ensure that the school community is well-educated, breaking down any lingering stigmas associated with mental health.
Notably, Mireille’s expertise in neurodiverse conditions brings a deeper layer of support. Teachers can now seek advice on understanding and helping pupils with conditions like ADHD and ASD, tailoring their classroom approaches to be more inclusive.
“The mental health support PHC Glasgow provide has had a hugely positive influence on both teachers and pupils,” said Heather Fuller. “We love having Mireille in the school; she feels like one of the team. Her knowledge and expertise are invaluable, and our teachers now feel they can go to her with any issues or concerns to support their pupils’ mental health. We’ve made a real effort to put physical and mental wellbeing at the forefront of everything we do, and with Mireille’s input, I feel that we have crafted a nurturing environment where pupils feel encouraged to discuss their mental wellbeing in a way to suit them. The feedback we’ve had from pupils, teachers and parents has been phenomenal, so we hope we can continue this special relationship with PHC Glasgow for many years to come.”
If you think your school or business could benefit from support like Mireille provides The High School of Glasgow, click here for more information about the help we can provide: https://www.purplehouseclinic.co.uk/organisation-services/