North Shields students combine conversation and digital tools for World Mental Health Day
Students at St Thomas More Catholic High School in North Shields marked World Mental Health Day by pairing open dialogue around emotional wellbeing with practical digital tools.
In the run-up to the annual awareness day on 10 October, all year groups across the school took part in dedicated assemblies centered on the theme ‘A Space to be You’.
Organised by Erin Fairlamb, Senior Mental Health Lead at the school, which is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, the week focused on giving pupils tangible support alongside crucial conversations.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: ““Schools are increasingly finding themselves on the frontline of supporting children and young people’s mental health, often as access to specialist services becomes more challenging. Initiatives like this demonstrate how our North East schools are responding creatively and compassionately, equipping pupils with practical tools while building a culture where young people feel confident to speak openly and seek support.”
A strong emphasis on community support and active listening
The daily assemblies were led by Ben from Soluna by Kooth, an NHS-approved mental health platform designed specifically for young people.
“Ben opened up vital conversations across all year groups about emotional wellbeing, self-care, and the importance of looking after our mental health,” explained Mrs Fairlamb.
Beyond opening up discussion, the assemblies aimed to give students immediate, practical resources to help manage their wellbeing on a day-to-day basis. Ben walked pupils through the Soluna platform, which is accessible via website or mobile app and offers confidential, one-to-one messaging with trained mental health professionals.
“Designed specifically for young people, the platform gives students a confidential space where they can message one-to-one with trained mental-health professionals, use self-help tools like mood trackers and personal journaling, and read guides on handling exam stress, sleep, and relationships,” Mrs Fairlamb noted. “It also features a fully moderated community where young people can share advice and support each other anonymously.”
The week culminated in a strong emphasis on community support and active listening. Keeping faith and reflection at the heart of the school community, Friday’s collective worship featured ‘A Prayer for World Mental Health’, written specifically for the occasion by students in Form 9E.
“Friday’s prayer brought staff and students together to pray for the awareness to notice when someone is struggling, and the courage to reach out,” Mrs Fairlamb shared. “Our reflection reminded us that we cannot always see what someone else is carrying, and that a smile doesn’t tell the whole story,”
Following the prayer, students were set a clear action for the day: check in on a peer, take time to listen, and encourage anyone who might be struggling to speak to a trusted adult.
Chris continued: ““What stands out at St Thomas More is the emphasis on looking out for one another. Giving pupils the confidence to recognise when someone might be struggling, and the knowledge of where to turn for help, are lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. But schools cannot carry this responsibility alone, and ensuring every young person has timely access to appropriate mental health support must remain a priority.”