Jen Gracie explains why the Scottish Government's mental health strategy must go further to help young people stay mentally healthy

Suicide is often considered to be a combination of vulnerability, environment, and life events. While none of us can predict what might happen in our lives or what our environment may be in the future, it is possible for us to be equipped with the protective factors to allow us to cope with some of life’s challenges.

Schools are uniquely placed to build this resilience in our young people; who, as recent Childline figures seem to show, are increasingly struggling. We were therefore encouraged to see MSPs debate the idea of mental health education recently.

A clear focus on developing emotional awareness could equip our young people to build resilience against suicide’s risk factors

Jen Gracie

It was clear from the debate that the mental health of Scotland’s young people is an urgent issue across the political spectrum. There is also a consensus that our schools have a key role to play in preparing those young people for life. With the Scottish Government due to publish its ten-year vision for mental health by the end of this year, discussion of these issues are timely. The government aims to transform mental health in Scotland with this strategy, yet while it focuses more on services for people who present with mental ill health, we don’t believe it can achieve that vision.

In order to be truly transformative, the strategy should recognise – as many MSPs do – that the promotion of emotional health and resilience in schools can act as a key form of prevention and early intervention. It was noted throughout the debate that Curriculum for Excellence includes health and wellbeing as one of its core areas.

However, for Jenny Gilruth MSP, a former teacher and the member who lodged the motion, clear curriculum guidance on mental health education and protective factors is needed. For Ms Gilruth, the next strategy must refer to delivery of mental health education in our schools if it is to be truly effective.

A clear focus on developing emotional awareness could equip our young people to build resilience against suicide’s risk factors throughout life and have a lasting impact across generations. A commitment to consider mental health education would provide part of the transformation in Scotland’s mental health the Scottish Government is aiming for – and move the next strategy towards the vision it currently lacks.

Jen Gracie is policy and communications officer at Samaritans Scotland