TEC Cymru, the Royal College of Psychiatrists Wales and Literature Wales are organising a National Mental Health Debate for Primary Schools to coincide with Children’s Mental Health Week.
The event, which will be happening virtually, includes entries from several primary schools across South Wales and takes place on Friday, 11th February 2022.
The topic for discussion – 'Does technology improve your health?'
Commenting on the collaboration, Professor Alka Ahuja MBE, Clinical Lead at TEC Cymru, said:
“The debate is a great way of engaging young people and destigmatising mental illness and related myths. The discussion raised by the debate will hopefully help the young people gain an insight into mental health and technology and its relevance in their everyday life.”
TEC Cymru is also collaborating with The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Wales around Technology Enabled Remote Monitoring in Schools (TERMS).
The project is funded by Q lab and led by the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.
It will look into how technology-enabled care can be used to support students in schools.
Professor Ahuja added:
"The Covid-19 pandemic has created major challenges to Wales, and has taken its toll on the nation’s health, especially children and young people. School closures, disrupted friendships and uncertainty about the future are all likely contributors to the mental health issues children are facing. Early intervention is key to treating mental illness and key to preventing children falling into a mental health crisis.
“We believe that the Covid-19 pandemic has created new, unique opportunities to further the Whole School Approach whilst maintaining safety and creating new ways of working which are ‘pandemic-proof’ to some extent."