Am I alone in being confused about this?

[badgergirl92]

We have a mental health champion in schools. Great; I would agree this is an area of concern.

However, she seems to hold absolutely in qualifications in mental health.

I don't doubt her intentions are good, but surely this area is too vitally important to have someone 'championing' who doesn't have the relevant training or qualifications?

[BetweenTwoLungs]

We have two health champions and both have done quite a bit of training and tend to be more of a listening ear and able to offer where to go for advice rather than offering that advice themselves.

[badgergirl92]

Do you mean in your school? I'm talking about the one employed by the government.

[BetweenTwoLungs]

Hahaha oh yes sorry! Didn't even realise we had one in government!

To be honest, when it comes to the government it seems like actually knowing something about your area is not actually necessary. See case in point - ed secretaries.

[CubicZirconiaBossyBabe]

Where I work "champions" or "link" people don't hold specific qualifications in that area, but rather are "normal" members of staff who attend all the training and CPD on that area, and bring info from the training back to the team.

It's more practical than sending everyone on every training day
Also good for moral because "champions" are supported in gettting training on an area of their interest.
Makes more sense too than everyone trying to book on random mish-mashes of training days.

[CubicZirconiaBossyBabe]

(sorry, also didn't realise you meant in the actual gov, you posted in staffroom!)

[badgergirl92]

Neither did I Between!

I think I am just because by employing somebody without any qualifications at all in mental health, much less child mental health, it makes it into less of an issue than it is. It suggests that it just needs someone to be kind and have a chat with this troubled teens and then all will be well.

They wouldn't DREAM of doing this for physical health I am sure, so why on earth is it acceptable for mental health?

[badgergirl92]

It's okay cubic I have just read my OP and I don't think I was very clear, sorry.

To clarify, our government have decided a media persona is 'mental health champion' for schools but she has absolutely no qualifications in mental health.