We are Gold! Greenhead College scoops highest accolade for pioneering mental health award

We are thrilled to share that Greenhead College has been awarded Gold standard for its outstanding mental health and well-being provision, delivered by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools. 

The Gold award, which is the highest status accolade, acknowledges Greenhead College’s excellence in well-being support, and its Mental Health and Well-being Framework, which has developed over several years. The framework demonstrates the College’s commitment to well-being and helps to create a positive culture of mental and physical health that benefits the whole College community. 

As part of this, Greenhead College hosts a dedicated Mental and Physical (M+P) Week each term. These offer an opportunity for both staff and students to access activities, information sessions and resources to support mental health and well-being both in and out of the classroom. M+P Weeks highlight the importance placed on mental health and well-being by the College and offer an opportunity to explore the relationship between well-being and academic outcomes. A range of activities are also offered to boost the well-being of students and staff throughout the academic year, such as enrichment, sports and physical recreation, walking for wellness, Cosy Café, mindfulness colouring and regular visits from therapy dogs. 

The assessment process also highlighted many areas of excellence, including the College’s pioneering and well-established Counselling Service, which makes 75 therapeutic hours available to the College’s student population each week, and is a vital support in a time when statutory services can be so difficult to access.

Mo Bunter, Principal at Greenhead College commented: 

“Being awarded the Gold Standard is testament to the excellent strategies and provision that the College has in place to support mental health and well-being. I am extremely proud that everything we do at the College has been recognised and we will continue to strive for excellence and share our best practices with others.”

Claire Parr, Assistant Principal for Student Support and Welfare said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to receive the Gold Award for Mental Health. Bringing mental health and well-being support together under one unified framework, reflects our commitment to creating a safe, supportive environment where the well-being of students and staff is our top priority. The framework is the foundation to ensure we are recognising the mental health and well-being of all stakeholders but will also enable us to adapt our well-being provision in response with the changing needs of our community.”