Advocacy Group Endorses Anti-Suicide Measures in British Educational Institutions for Youth Age Group
In a commendable effort to tackle the growing issue of mental health among young people, a 17-year-old individual named Kai is spearheading a campaign to incorporate suicide prevention education into the UK's national curriculum. Kai, who has been battling mental health challenges since the age of nine, has faced significant struggles, with his issues becoming severe by the age of 13. Despite these challenges, he has managed to find his voice and is now using it to make a difference. Schools that participate in the LightBulb programme, a mental health support initiative led by teachers at St Andrew's CAMHS College, receive a certificate recognising their commitment to mental health. The LightBulb Mental Wellness Programme offers early intervention courses for students who are struggling in school, using activities and guided discussions to help them build resilience, express feelings, and develop coping strategies. St Andrew's Healthcare, an organisation that provides care for people with severe mental illnesses, learning disabilities, and autism, operates in Northampton, Essex, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Derby. Kai received specialist treatment at their Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). The LightBulb programme runs in small groups over eight weekly sessions for both primary and secondary pupils. It is aligned with the government's plan to ensure all schools have access to mental health professionals by 2029/30, and it is being expanded to support the Department for Education's updated Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance, which now includes suicide prevention for secondary pupils. In November 2023, 445,000 young people accessed mental health services, compared with 231,000 in 2019, highlighting the increasing need for such initiatives. On Suicide Prevention Day, 10th September 2025, Kai spoke about the importance of mental health support in schools, emphasising that early education about suicide prevention could save lives. It's worth noting that Kai has a history of multiple suicide attempts and lives with complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), attachment disorder, and emotional dysregulation. School was difficult for him, as teachers did not always understand what he was going through and often labeled him as a disruptive student. The government is also taking steps to address this issue, providing £680 million in funding to recruit 8,500 workers for mental health services in schools. However, the headteacher of the school centre where the LightBulb mental health promotion program is conducted is not specified in the available information. Kai's courage and determination serve as a beacon of hope for many young people struggling with mental health issues. His campaign underscores the importance of early intervention and education in mental health, and his story is a powerful reminder of the need for empathy, understanding, and support in our schools.
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