The BU Course: Skills for maintaining emotional wellbeing Catrin Patterson School research and Delivery Practitioner Children North East catrin.patterson@children-ne.org.uk Twitter @BU_CNE www.children-ne.org.uk

a contribution to her or his community.” “Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” WHO 2013

Challenges 20% of adolescents may experience a mental health problem in any given year 50% of mental health problems are established by age 14 10% of children and young people aged 5-16 years have a clinically diagnosable mental problems, yet 70% of children and adolescents who experience mental health problems have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early stage.

“School based programmes of social and emotional learning therefore have the potential to help young people acquire the skill they need to make good academic progress.” Public Health England (2014)

BU: a brief history

Key themes Feelings and Emotions Coping Strategies Communication Friendships and Relationships Self-image Introduction to Mental Health

Impact ‘Data has shown that the BU course makes a significant impact to children’s social-emotional wellbeing and skills.’ Dr J. Charlton; North East Wellbeing and Newcastle University 2017

Impact

Impact

‘The BU project has had a great impact on our children – it has made them more confident in school’ – Primary Teacher ‘Her friendships and relationships with peers have massively improved and attendance is better than last year.’ Year 10 Learning Coordinator T has had less incidents of being upset since the course started and seems to be managing his emotions better – Year 8 Learning Coordinator

Catrin Patterson School research and Delivery Practitioner Children North East catrin.patterson@children-ne.org.uk Twitter @BU_CNE www.children-ne.org.uk