Mental Health in Schools: How Can Leaders Support Student and Staff Wellbeing?

Stress, staffing pressures, and rising student needs mean schools can’t leave mental health to chance. But how do you move from creating policies to embedding awareness across a whole team?In this episode, Kai talks to George Peterkin, a qualified teacher, accredited therapeutic counsellor, and founder of Mind Your Health. George has been delivering Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training at British School Muscat, equipping staff with practical tools, language, and culture-shaping habits that make mental health awareness part of our everyday.They discuss:What Mental Health First Aid is and how it differs from wellbeingPractical tools staff can use to support student and colleague wellbeingWhy schools should consider using student artwork to deliver mental health education How to embed MHFA into daily routines across the school curriculumAbout Our GuestGeorge Peterson is a qualified teacher, accredited therapeutic counsellor, and founder of Mind Your Health Limited. He delivers Mental Health First Aid training and practical wellbeing programmes for schools and organisations worldwide, blending evidence-based strategies with engaging, classroom-tested practice.ResourcesMind Your Health Limited websiteGeorge Peterkin on LinkedInKaiPod NewsEnjoyed this episode? Keep the conversation going with KaiPod News — a fortnightly newsletter from Kai Vacher sharing fresh insights, stories, and strategies from education leaders around the world. Subscribe here.Related episodes:Episode 23 — Is Kindness the Key to Effective Leadership (with Joanna Povall)Episode 18 — How to Develop Empathy as a Teacher or School Leader (with Ed Kirwan)CreditsHosted by Kai VacherA BSM BSS productionPost-production by Communicating for ImpactIn this episode, Kai and George discuss:3:34 How George went from classics teacher to MHFA trainer3:23 What is Mental Health First Aid?5:42 Why empowerment is key to promoting mental health in schools6:38 Practical skills for mental health education10:10 The real impact of MHFA training on staff and students14:31 Small culture shifts that have a huge impact on wellbeing25:19 Getting comfortable with the uncomfortable

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