Latest news and research from the Centre

Andy Bell

Interm Chief Executive

We’re Centre for Mental Health. We take the lead in challenging policies, systems and society, so that everyone can have better mental health. Welcome to our first newsletter of 2023, and the first with our new look.

In this edition, we have details of how you can join us in our Festival of Ideas events this year, and the results of a survey of teachers about the training they would like to have to help them tackle racism in schools.

This is a challenging time for mental health, with the pressures brought by the cost of living crisis on top of those from the pandemic and years of austerity in public services.

We’re here to build research evidence to create fairer mental health policy. I look forward to working with you to achieve that goal in the year to come.

This year we’re holding monthly events exploring ‘Five Giants’ that influence people’s mental health.

Our first event will take place on 21 February and focus on how we can end toxic poverty to improve mental health.

Racial microaggressions in schools

From hair and name discrimination to being confused with the only other Black pupil in class, microaggressions in schools can have a harmful impact on the mental health of young people from racialised backgrounds.

Our survey with the Not So Micro campaign found that while less than a third of teachers have ever received training on racism or microaggressions, nine out of ten believe it should be given to all school staff.

Of the 200+ teachers, school and college leaders we surveyed 94% said microaggression and anti-racism training should be mandatory.

Chantal Goodridge and Jamie Martin from Off The Record Croydon share how their counselling service is providing culturally informed mental health support to young people affected by youth violence.