The road to self‐efficacy: a discussion of generic training in mental health competencies for educational professionals

Abstract

This discussion aims to consider the value of training educational professionals in mental health competencies. Primary Mental Health Workers working in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service have traditionally used a consultation model when working with schools. In this article I consider moving the emphasis away from consultancy work, instead putting training at the cornerstone of improving mental health in schools. I believe that local practices using consultation can create a ‘dependency’ culture, inhibiting the development of self‐efficacy in those involved in pastoral care in educational settings. Instead, an alternative method of improving confidence and self‐efficacy amongst educational practitioners is by delivering a comprehensive training course, which aims to provide a range of competencies in mental health. Training, which provides skills in low‐level therapeutic approaches for pupils and students, in conjunction with a broad understanding of mental illness and mental health issues, could be a highly effective method of responding to the maxim ‘mental health is everyone’s business’.