Jo Kopela
Jo Kopela was a National Development Officer with Scottish Health Promoting Schools Unit until 2008.
The Scottish Health Promoting Schools Unit (SHPSU) has worked to place the promotion of mental and emotional wellbeing at the heart of the development of health promoting schools in Scotland and to raise awareness of the strong links between the mental and emotional wellbeing of children and young people, their personal, social development and ability to learn. It has also been important to open dialogue about the importance of positive mental and emotional health as the foundation of professional effectiveness for school staff.
Progressing thinking and action has involved ongoing and widespread discussion with, and listening to, practitioners working in and with schools, working closely with researchers and experts in the field, and linking with or building partnerships and networks across the country. SHPSU has also been responsive to requests for information, resources and direct support as required.
SHPSU’s involvement in the development of guidance that will support implementation of the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007 has ensured that promoting mental and emotional health and wellbeing is clearly set out as a responsibility for schools and local authorities.
Contributing to the writing of learning outcomes and experiences for the Curriculum for Excellence will ensure that understanding and maintaining mental health and emotional wellbeing underpins all learning and teaching of health and wellbeing in schools and provides ongoing opportunities for building confidence, resilience and self worth.
Schools provide an ideal setting to promote mental and emotional wellbeing and can give children, young people and staff the experience of belonging to a supportive and stimulating learning community. Within this community the skills and knowledge needed to embrace opportunity and to cope with challenge can be fostered.
Local approaches to accrediting and quality assuring progress in respect of health promoting schools have helped schools to recognise and articulate the contribution they are already making and how this can be built upon.
Everyone working in and with schools can contribute and build on current practice and experience to ensure mental and emotional health is at the heart of learning. Support will be needed to build and maintain confidence within the complexity of the school setting, to ensure ongoing dialogue and participation locally and nationally, and to continue to embrace approaches and ideas that help build capacity, clarity and certainty.
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