West Lothian schools rollout for mental health and wellbeing qualification

Education Executive were informed of the successful pilot scheme at Broxburn Academy and Inveralmond Community High School in Livingston, delivering the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 4 Mental Health and Wellbeing award.

West Lothian schools already offer a broad range of courses aimed that ensuring that young people develop the skills they need for learning, life and work, to support them into a sustained positive destination beyond school. 

The new Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) award was recently introduced following national consultation. It recognises the strong need for a qualification in this area following the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on mental wellbeing and mental health.
The qualification seeks to address inaccuracies surrounding perceptions of mental health, provide accurate information, promote understanding and equip pupils with positive coping strategies to improve and maintain mental health and wellbeing.

Executive councillor for education David Dodds said: "I'm delighted to hear about further excellent work in West Lothian schools around mental health and wellbeing.

"Results from Broxburn and Inveralmond Community High School are very positive, and I hope other schools in West Lothian can accommodate the qualification into their busy curriculums in the future.

"We know the importance of mental health and wellbeing to young people, and this is a positive step forward to reduce any stigma and help support them."