Meeting the Mental Health needs of: Children from Ethnic Minority Backgrounds

Young people from minority ethnic groups often reach mental health services late, through social care or youth justice rather than a GP. Many say they're too scared to ask for help, or expect the racism they've faced to be brushed aside.

School can do a lot to change that. You'll learn 10 practical steps. They include listening properly and staying with a young person all the way through a referral. Build trust with families early (transition is a good time), and celebrate diversity all year instead of in a single themed week. You'll see why every pupil should be able to name one adult they trust, and where to find counsellors and therapists from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Underneath it all sits one rule that doesn't bend: zero tolerance of racism and discrimination, with every pupil knowing how to report it.