Well-being and mental health through education

Positive mental health as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), refers to a state of well-being where children and young people realise their own abilities, learn to cope with common stresses of life, develop a positive sense of identity and the ability to manage thoughts and emotions, build social relationships, and acquire an education that fosters active citizenship. A whole school approach to well-being and mental health, in which all school actors (teaching and non-teaching staff, learners, parents and families) and external stakeholders have an essential role to play, leads to the promotion of positive mental health. Education involves sowing the seeds of emotional well-being (through the promotion of social and emotional learning) where children understand their emotions and can express themselves as valued members of the school community.