Children and young people
Churchill Fellowship – School-based Suicide Prevention Strategies
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About the project
This research focuses on how, and if, schools can be effectively used to implement suicide-prevention policy as outlined in the Suicide Prevention Strategy 2023 -2028 and the 2017 green paper ‘Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health’. By exploring how under-funded schools and over-stretched teachers are left to unravel ambiguous policy and construct it into practice, at both a universal level for all pupils and targeted at those considered ‘at-risk’, the unintended consequences can be uncovered. The research for the fellowship explores school-based programmes, in Australia and the USA, that have been scientifically proven to improve pupil mental health and reduce suicide attempts. It is hoped the insights, gained from travelling to observe these programmes first-hand, could inform the development of a school-based suicide prevention and mental health promotion programme for a UK context.
Project partners: The Churchill Fellowship
Developing children and young people’s mental health literacy: A study of Ahead of the Game across England and Scotland
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About the project
Ellie’s PhD is a study of Movember’s Ahead of the Game programme across England and Scotland. Ahead of the game is a community sport-based programme that uses sport to teach young people, parents, and coaches how to talk about mental health, delivered in schools and community settings. Movember have recently partnered with Rugby League Cares and The Scottish Association for Mental Health as their implementation partner, and Everton in the Community, Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Fulham FC Foundation to carry out the delivery of AotG. The aims of the proposed programme of research are to progress an evidence-based understanding and offer insights into how Movember’s approach is expressed through their new delivery partners, and report the available evidence concerning their reach, effectiveness, and impact. By doing so, the thesis will generate new empirical data, which sheds light on some key aspects of the realities of community sport policy and practice.
Project partners: Movember, Rugby League Cares
Exploring children and young people’s perspectives through creative methods: How can place-based provision promote mental health and wellbeing
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About the project
The PhD project explores place-based community provision through the perspectives of children and young people. Using creative methods, the study examines community programmes, education, leisure and social relationships in connection to children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Project partners: Everton in the Community
Tackling the Blues
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About the project
Tackling the Blues is an award winning sport, art and education-based programme delivered in partnership by Edge Hill University, Everton in the Community and Tate Liverpool that helps children and young people to better understand mental health and develop positive wellbeing strategies. TtB contributes to improved mental health literacy and educational performance among children and young people. It seeks to address the complex social determinants and inequalities associated with mental health and illness.
Tackling the Blues
Project partners: Everton in the Community and Tate Liverpool
