Start the year well toolkit

This toolkit contains a selection of resources to help education staff stay mentally healthy at the start of the academic year. It encourages staff to get ready for the year ahead with a focus on positive wellbeing. 

Staff can choose the most relevant resource to their needs, though Education Support suggest exploring one topic per week for staff to maintain a focus on wellbeing throughout the term.  

Topics include: 

• 7 ways to feel good this school year  

• Retain your joy and stay well: advice for early career teachers  

• The building blocks of good mental wellbeing  

• Starting the year well: prioritising your mental health 

Although this toolkit was originally published to coincide with the start of the academic year, it’s a relevant and useful resource to signpost staff to at any point. 

Using this resource

This resource is designed for: 

• use by education staff across all settings  

• use by mental health leads  

• use by school or college leaders.

Learning outcomes

This resource addresses the following learning outcomes: 

• Access and utilise tools, strategies and resources to support their own mental health so that they can look after themselves, Identify and utilise tools, strategies and resources to confidently engage staff to help promote and support their mental health and wellbeing. 

• Share simple evidence-based strategies and exercises with staff and pupils/students to help them manage their mental health and develop their own coping strategies. 

• Facilitate development of school staff, identifying critical training and ensuring that all staff can recognise and understand the process to respond to mental health concerns. 

• Signpost and increase and promote awareness of resources to support staff.