HUNDREDS of teachers got free mental health training at a conference in York - highlighting the importance of the subject in the classroom.

More than 300 education professionals accessed free mental health training thanks to the collaboration of the Pathfinder Teaching School based at Archbishop Holgate’s CE School, and the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust.

The York-based teaching school ran their second annual ‘Lets Talk About Mental Health conference’ this week with the support of #401challenge runner and BBC Sports personality of the year, Ben Smith and Australian Paralympian Swimmer, Elizabeth Wright.

York Press:

Ben, who opened the conference, outlined the importance of making mental health a priority in schools. Elizabeth Wright, spoke about the necessity for everyone in schools to have conversations about mental health in schools, utilising expertise to make mental health and wellbeing a core aspect. Adam Kane and Oliva McNabb, students at Joseph Rowntree and Millthorpe secondary schools in York, spoke on behalf of the York Youth Council. Their contribution was particularly welcomed by the audience who were inspired by their views and visions.

Attendees were able to select from over 30 workshops that covered a wide range of topics in the field of mental health. Several schools brought their full staff teams to maximise the opportunity of receiving high quality free training.

Kate Sowter, deputy head of the Pathfinder Teaching School said: “The support we have received from the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust has been invaluable. Thanks to their backing, colleagues from our region have been able to select training that is relevant for them at no cost. In the midst of budget cuts, as a teaching school, we are committed to making sure that professional development in mental health is affordable for schools. This is the second year we have run a conference solely dedicated to improving access to relevant professional learning on mental health. We were pleased to have added more workshops in our second year. The conference will continue to run annually.”

The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust was set up in 1997 in memory of Charlie Waller, a young man who took his own life whilst suffering from depression. Shortly after his death, his family founded the trust in order to educate young people on the importance of staying mentally well and how to do so. In addition to support from the trust, Pathfinder Teaching School Alliance continue to work closely with the York Local Authority to ensure opportunities to access training are available all year round.