Pupil mental health: depression and low mood

This session is part of a set of training sessions on pupil mental health. We recommend you start with our session on deepening understanding of pupil mental health, then deliver this session on depression and low mood.

Learning objectives

In this session, staff will learn:

• What depression and low mood are, and how they go beyond a 'bad mood'
• How to spot potential signs of depression
• How to talk confidently to a child about their concerns, so the child knows they're not alone, and how to help the child find ways to cope

What's in this training session?

• A ready-to-deliver PowerPoint presentation you can adapt to suit your school
• Step-by-step facilitator notes
• Activities to help staff put what they're learning into practice and encourage group discussion
• Video – to explain how depression can affect a child's daily life
• Answers to common questions, to help you prepare for questions your staff may have 
• Staff factsheet, which summarises key information staff need to know

1. Download the PowerPoint presentation, facilitator notes, group activities, common questions and staff handout
2. Decide whether your staff need in-depth training, or more of an overview
• If you want to cover this topic in depth, use all the slides and activities. The session should last 45 minutes 
• If you want to give staff more of an overview, miss out the activities. The session should last 25 minutes
3. Work through the facilitator notes. They tell you everything you need to know to prepare and deliver the PowerPoint presentation effectively, including what slides to use or delete to run this session in 45 minutes or 25 minutes. You’ll need these notes to hand when presenting

No time for an in-person training session?

Invite your team to complete our eLearning course on pupil mental health and depression in their own time, instead.

With thanks to the following expert for their help with this resource:
Dr Dominique Thompson, a multi-award winning GP, national mental health expert, TEDx speaker, author and educator. She has over 20 years of clinical experience, including as a police and expedition doctor, and Director of Service at the University of Bristol Students’ Health Service