Coronavirus: Psychologists develop 'support pack' for students and teachers

Suffolk teachers are being given guidance on how to help colleagues and students with mental health issues following the Covid-19 pandemic.

A team of psychologists has created a 'support pack' - providing advice for best response when emotional distress is displayed.

The resource focuses on five key priorities to help students and staff meet the physical and emotional demands of returning to school.

Dr Beth Mosley, lead clinical psychologist, said the pack is adaptable to the specific needs of each individual school and can be integrated into any back-to-school plan.

"It provides clear and concise guidance based on the research evidence on best practice in responding to emergencies such as this coronavirus pandemic," she said.

“It is only when children feel safe and comforted, they are then able to learn. Schools are familiar with this - a good school is responsive to a child’s emotional needs, as well as their learning needs. The pack is very much designed to support schools with the task of containing their community’s anxieties and helping support them to provide appropriate psychological safety and comfort."

She added: "The pack gives school leaders the confidence that their approach to supporting staff, students and parents is built on the latest research as well as their experience and intuition as to what is best for them.”

The Psychology in Schools team is commissioned by NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk and NHS West Suffolk clinical commissioning groups.