Positive mental wellbeing resources

Published 12/06/2020.  Last updated 30/09/2026
sourceLearning resources schoolHealth and Wellbeing (HWB)

This page is designed to provide signposting to a range of information, resources and organisations which are freely available to support primary and secondary school staff to support mental wellbeing. 

Explore this resource

Education authorities and schools are responsible for identifying, supporting and developing the mental wellbeing of pupils. Every child and young person should have access to mental wellbeing support in school. 

This may be support from their class teacher, pastoral care staff, school counsellors, Educational Psychology Services, or specialist family and health services when required. 

It is recognised that the resources on this page are not exhaustive, and that education authorities and schools may have produced their own specific resources around mental wellbeing in partnership with local partners, children and young people.  

The Cycle of Wellbeing provides a helpful narrative of how many of the resources and guidance published can be used strategically to enhance the mental wellbeing of staff and children and young people. 

The Wellbeing Planning Tool provides a traffic light warning system that staff can use to recognise if their own wellbeing is potentially at risk and suggests ways to manage stress. 

Staff Wellbeing & Self Care in a Crisis provides a helpful overview of how to use the planning tool. (6m 26s) 

The National Wellbeing Hub offers access to a range of helpful tools, including apps and online programmes to support staff mental health and wellbeing. 

Children and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing: Knowledge and Skills Framework - This framework sets out the levels of knowledge and skills required by staff across agencies to deliver mental health supports and interventions across four levels; Informed, Skilled, Enhanced and Specialist. 

Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing : A Professional Learning Resource For All School Staff – This online module was created for all staff in schools across Scotland and includes ‘An Overview of Mental Health and Wellbeing’, Factors Influencing Mental Health and Wellbeing’, ‘Applying Prevention Based Approaches to Mental Health and Wellbeing in Schools, and ‘School Staff Wellbeing’. It was created on behalf of Scottish Government by The Mental Health Foundation Scotland and Children’s Health Scotland.  This resource is currently being updated. 

We all have mental health: an introduction for teachers- Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), Scotland's national mental health charity has devised this e-learning for teachers -  Registration is required. 

Mentally Healthy Schools Mentally Healthy Schools brings together quality-assured mental health resources, information & advice for schools and further education settings - Registration is required. 

Training in psychological skills – early intervention for children - This professional learning has been developed for qualified multi-disciplinary staff across agencies who work with children and young people and training is delivered by NES-funded psychologists. These sessions include: 

Let’s Introduce Anxiety Management (LIAM)- a CBT-informed approach to mild/moderate anxiety symptoms in children and young people 

Let’s Introduce Learning About (LILA)… Differences, Strengths & Sensory Experiences- adapted LIAM sessions for autistic or otherwise neurodivergent children and young people 

Brief behavioural activation for depression and low mood in children and young people (Brief BA)-to address Low Mood/Depression 

Connecting with parents’ motivations-helps Primary 1 and 2 teachers engage families with local parenting supports using strength-based communication techniques 

Psychological skills modules on helpful conversations with children, talking about emotions, problem solving skills and motivational interviewing 

Bereavement A self-directed module is available on bereavement in the Informed level of the Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities framework for professional learning under the section Wellbeing and Care. There is also an Education Scotland Professional Learning Activity  Supporting children through grief and loss  

Supporting children and young people through bereavement- this Education Scotland website page signposts to a range of helpful resources. 

Nurture and trauma-informed approaches: A summary of supports and resources - this Education Scotland website page signposts to a range of helpful resources. 

Keeping Trauma in Mind-This page provides information on the Education Scotland Keeping Trauma in Mind Professional Learning programme.

There are many online FREE courses around trauma and bereavement on the NES TURAS website - Registration is required.

Education Scotland Professional Learning Activity Understanding nurture, adverse childhood experiences and trauma (login required)  

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) 

Scottish education is based on the belief that education is a human right and that all children and young people should be supported to reach their fullest potential. Inclusive education supports mental wellbeing. 

Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and must be addressed quickly, whenever it arises. We want all children and young people to learn tolerance, respect, equality and good citizenship to address and prevent prejudice, as well as healthy relationships. 

  • Respect for All This approach aims to build capacity, resilience and skills in children and young people to prevent and deal with bullying. 

  • Respectme Scotland’s anti-bullying service 

Learning in health and wellbeing ensures that children and young people develop the knowledge and understanding, skills, capabilities and attributes which they need for mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing now and in the future. 

The mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing of everyone within a learning community should be positively developed by fostering a safe, caring, supportive, purposeful environment that enables the development of relationships based on mutual respect. The four aspects of wellbeing are inextricably linked. 

It is important that the educational establishments have the capacity to support pupils and flexibility to utilise an approach that meets local needs and circumstances. Providing a positive future for our young people is our top priority and their mental health is a key part of that. Curriculum for Excellence is helping young people gain the knowledge, skills, capabilities and attributes needed for learning, life and work.  

 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Award at SCQF levels 4 and 5 

The Scottish Government has made clear the commitment of this government to promote and support children’s mental wellbeing, through wide ranging commitments in its Programme for Government. 
These links to resources provide information to support development of school policy linked to positive mental wellbeing of children and young people. 

  • Mental health and wellbeing: whole school approach: framework 
^ Back to top

Positive mental wellbeing resources

Published 12/06/2020.  Last updated 30/09/2026
sourceLearning resources schoolHealth and Wellbeing (HWB)

This page is designed to provide signposting to a range of information, resources and organisations which are freely available to support primary and secondary school staff to support mental wellbeing. 

Explore this resource

Education authorities and schools are responsible for identifying, supporting and developing the mental wellbeing of pupils. Every child and young person should have access to mental wellbeing support in school. 

This may be support from their class teacher, pastoral care staff, school counsellors, Educational Psychology Services, or specialist family and health services when required. 

It is recognised that the resources on this page are not exhaustive, and that education authorities and schools may have produced their own specific resources around mental wellbeing in partnership with local partners, children and young people.  

The Cycle of Wellbeing provides a helpful narrative of how many of the resources and guidance published can be used strategically to enhance the mental wellbeing of staff and children and young people. 

The Wellbeing Planning Tool provides a traffic light warning system that staff can use to recognise if their own wellbeing is potentially at risk and suggests ways to manage stress. 

Staff Wellbeing & Self Care in a Crisis provides a helpful overview of how to use the planning tool. (6m 26s) 

The National Wellbeing Hub offers access to a range of helpful tools, including apps and online programmes to support staff mental health and wellbeing. 

Children and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing: Knowledge and Skills Framework - This framework sets out the levels of knowledge and skills required by staff across agencies to deliver mental health supports and interventions across four levels; Informed, Skilled, Enhanced and Specialist. 

Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing : A Professional Learning Resource For All School Staff – This online module was created for all staff in schools across Scotland and includes ‘An Overview of Mental Health and Wellbeing’, Factors Influencing Mental Health and Wellbeing’, ‘Applying Prevention Based Approaches to Mental Health and Wellbeing in Schools, and ‘School Staff Wellbeing’. It was created on behalf of Scottish Government by The Mental Health Foundation Scotland and Children’s Health Scotland.  This resource is currently being updated. 

We all have mental health: an introduction for teachers- Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), Scotland's national mental health charity has devised this e-learning for teachers -  Registration is required. 

Mentally Healthy Schools Mentally Healthy Schools brings together quality-assured mental health resources, information & advice for schools and further education settings - Registration is required. 

Training in psychological skills – early intervention for children - This professional learning has been developed for qualified multi-disciplinary staff across agencies who work with children and young people and training is delivered by NES-funded psychologists. These sessions include: 

Let’s Introduce Anxiety Management (LIAM)- a CBT-informed approach to mild/moderate anxiety symptoms in children and young people 

Let’s Introduce Learning About (LILA)… Differences, Strengths & Sensory Experiences- adapted LIAM sessions for autistic or otherwise neurodivergent children and young people 

Brief behavioural activation for depression and low mood in children and young people (Brief BA)-to address Low Mood/Depression 

Connecting with parents’ motivations-helps Primary 1 and 2 teachers engage families with local parenting supports using strength-based communication techniques 

Psychological skills modules on helpful conversations with children, talking about emotions, problem solving skills and motivational interviewing 

Bereavement A self-directed module is available on bereavement in the Informed level of the Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities framework for professional learning under the section Wellbeing and Care. There is also an Education Scotland Professional Learning Activity  Supporting children through grief and loss  

Supporting children and young people through bereavement- this Education Scotland website page signposts to a range of helpful resources. 

Nurture and trauma-informed approaches: A summary of supports and resources - this Education Scotland website page signposts to a range of helpful resources. 

Keeping Trauma in Mind-This page provides information on the Education Scotland Keeping Trauma in Mind Professional Learning programme.

There are many online FREE courses around trauma and bereavement on the NES TURAS website - Registration is required.

Education Scotland Professional Learning Activity Understanding nurture, adverse childhood experiences and trauma (login required)  

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) 

Scottish education is based on the belief that education is a human right and that all children and young people should be supported to reach their fullest potential. Inclusive education supports mental wellbeing. 

Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and must be addressed quickly, whenever it arises. We want all children and young people to learn tolerance, respect, equality and good citizenship to address and prevent prejudice, as well as healthy relationships. 

  • Respect for All This approach aims to build capacity, resilience and skills in children and young people to prevent and deal with bullying. 

  • Respectme Scotland’s anti-bullying service 

Learning in health and wellbeing ensures that children and young people develop the knowledge and understanding, skills, capabilities and attributes which they need for mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing now and in the future. 

The mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing of everyone within a learning community should be positively developed by fostering a safe, caring, supportive, purposeful environment that enables the development of relationships based on mutual respect. The four aspects of wellbeing are inextricably linked. 

It is important that the educational establishments have the capacity to support pupils and flexibility to utilise an approach that meets local needs and circumstances. Providing a positive future for our young people is our top priority and their mental health is a key part of that. Curriculum for Excellence is helping young people gain the knowledge, skills, capabilities and attributes needed for learning, life and work.  

 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Award at SCQF levels 4 and 5 

The Scottish Government has made clear the commitment of this government to promote and support children’s mental wellbeing, through wide ranging commitments in its Programme for Government. 
These links to resources provide information to support development of school policy linked to positive mental wellbeing of children and young people. 

  • Mental health and wellbeing: whole school approach: framework 
^ Back to top