In this episode of the Feeling Good Mini Series, we talk about ways in which we can develop young people's mental health skills in school. 

We share lived experiences of working with schools and young people and talk about the importance of developing preventative ways to equip young people with the skills to deal with adversity before they reach crisis point.  

We would like to say a special thanks to Magic Little Grants who have made this podcast possible.

Created and produced by Serena Steptoe.   

Artwork by: Ella Read (@ella.readie on instagram)  

Music by Callum Govan (@wakeup on instagram) and Frankie Ogilvie

With thanks to Magic Little Grant by People's Postcode Lottery.  

Resources to support wellbeing and mental health:  

In an emergency: call 999  

If you need someone to listen, call: 

- UK-wide: Call Samaritans on 116123 (24/7 and free) (NB Samaritans retired their text service in Feb 2020) 

- UK-wide: Call Childline on 0800 1111 24/7 and free (slightly reduced service i.e. shorter calls between midnight and 7.30am) 

- UK-wide: Call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (Open 4-11pm and free) 

- UK-wide: Call Papyrus’s Hopeline on 0800 068 41 41 if you are having thoughts of suicide (opening hours 9am - midnight every day of the year)  

To text or chat online: 

- UK-wide: Text ‘Shout’ to 85258 (24/7 and free) 

- UK-wide: Text YoungMinds ‘YM’ to 85258 (24/7 and free) 

- UK-wide: Chat to a Childline counsellor 1-2-1 online: https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/ or use the 

- Message Boards: https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/message-boards/ (24/7 and free) 

- UK-wide: Text Papyrus on 07860039967 if you are having thoughts of suicide (opening hours 9am - midnight every day of the year)  

To email: - UK-wide: Email Samaritans on jo@samaritans.org (response time: 24 hours) 

- UK-wide: Email The Mix by completing their online form at https://www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team/email-us (response time: 24 hours) 

- UK-wide: Email Papyrus on pat@papyrus-uk.org if you are having thoughts of suicide  

Other support information: 

- Young Minds: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/  

- Every Mind Matters: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/  

- Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/  

- Shout: https://giveusashout.org/get-help/resources/  

- The Mix: https://www.themix.org.uk/  

- Anna Freud: https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/   

If you would like to use a free app for young people that teaches mental health and wellbeing skills for life, check out: Feeling Good Teens which you can download from app store and access free audio tracks.

In podcast #4, entitled ‘Positive Mental Health Skills – Breathing’, our host Serena Steptoe chats with Dr Sheila Ross. In this podcast, we talk broadly about positive mental health skills – the attitudes towards them, and the barriers to developing them. We also talk about how we can possibly incorporate positive mental health skills into our daily lives.

We intended to discuss a variety of skills but ended up framing our whole conversation around one particular and vital skill: breathing. Dr Sheila Ross talks about the benefits of breathing and some of the science behind it. We even incorporate a brief practice of breath work.

We would like to say a special thanks to Magic Little Grants who have made this podcast possible.

Created and produced by Serena Steptoe Artwork by: Ella Read (@ella.readie on instagram) Music by Callum Govan (@wakeup on instagram) and Frankie Ogilvie.

In podcast #3 ‘Preventing Teacher Burnout’, Becky Tapper and Serena Steptoe continue their conversation. In this episode, Becky offers ways in which we can help ourselves prevent burnout. Becky speaks from a teacher’s perspective with some specific tips, for example, in managing marking workloads, however a lot of the tips discussed can be relevant to other work industries too. This is really important considering the high prevalence of burnout across the UK.

If you work in education and need someone to talk to about your mental health and wellbeing, call Education Support on 08000 562 561.  

We would like to say a special thanks to Magic Little Grants who have made this podcast possible.

Created and produced by Serena Steptoe Artwork by: Ella Read (@ella.readie on instagram) Music by Callum Govan (@wakeup on instagram) and Frankie Ogilvie.