MENTAL health first aid training has been carried out in schools across Poole in a response to growing concerns about pupil wellbeing.

More than 50 education staff have taken part in the training so far, which is one of the first of its kind across the country.

The training focuses on four separate themes including anxiety and depression, suicide and psychosis and self harm and eating disorders.

Further topics specific to young people including bullying and cyber bullying, substance misuse and good parenting are also covered in the two day course.

Simon Thomas, who is co-ordinating the project for Borough of Poole, said: “The roll-out of mental health first aid training is one part of our response to growing concerns about pupil wellbeing across the Borough, identified by both schools and the young people themselves.

"We are also seeing high demand and long waiting lists for specialist child and adolescent mental health and behaviour support services.

“We are also looking to develop an integrated approach to the provision of personal, social and health education across all schools, and are working with schools to ensure that our children are equipped to make smooth transition from primary to secondary school.

"In Poole, we believe that children need early intervention to establish and maintain strong emotional resilience and wellbeing.”

An action plan for early intervention has already been developed in partnership between Borough of Poole, Public Health Dorset and senior education leaders.

Further projects focusing on improving the mental health of students, staff and parents are also in development.

Headteacher at Talbot Primary School Kate Curtis said: “I am very excited about this project and its potential and believe that we may be the only local authority in the country that has taken this ground-breaking strategy.

“We have now completed the training and appointed specialist leaders of education to support the initiative and help colleagues roll out training throughout our schools."