St Andrew’s College - LightBulb Mental Wellness Programme for Schools

One in six school-aged children between the age of 5 and 16 experience a mental health issue. According to NHS Digital, these figures have risen from one in ten in 2004 to one in six in 2020.

With 50% of mental ill health developing by the age 15 and 75% developing by the age of 18, it makes sense to focus on the wellbeing of young people before issues arise. Creating a positive culture for mental health and wellbeing in schools is an integral part of improving the lives of young people and education staff.  

That is why St Andrew’s College, part of St Andrew's Healthcare, has developed the LightBulb Mental Wellness Programme for Schools.  It is designed to help schools create a whole school approach to improving the wellbeing of their pupils and staff. 

LightBulb is a  mental wellness programme that provides a ready-made framework for primary and secondary schools. It enables those that participate to demonstrate and showcase excellence regarding mental health practice to regulatory bodies such as Ofsted.

It also provides training to staff that improves their knowledge, understanding and skills to identify potential signs and symptoms of mental health issues.   

What are the main aims of the programme?

• To create a whole school culture of positive mental health which is driven by school leaders and embedded in practice.
• To link with the Designated Mental Health Lead in schools and support them with whole school development.
• To support the school to encourage the development of resilience, coping skills and self-help strategies for children.
• To reduce the stigma of mental health and improve whole school understanding of how mental health can impact children and young people.
• It provides, carers/families and children with strategies for looking after their own wellbeing while also supporting their child’s mental health.

St Andrew’s Healthcare is a registered charity (no. 1104951).