Monodraught, the High Wycombe based commercial ventilation, cooling and daylight specialists, has awarded a generous grant to Buckinghamshire Mind to fund 10 mental health awareness assemblies in Buckinghamshire schools.

The aim of the assemblies is to break down the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health by educating children and young people to enable them to open-up and talk about mental health in school, at home and with friends.

“We know that 1 in 10 children and young people have a diagnosable mental health problem,” explains Jo Ibbett, Buckinghamshire Mind’s Children and Young People’s Service Team Lead. “Buckinghamshire Mind aims to reduce this figure through early intervention and by providing school assemblies and other activities to educate children at an early age.”

The school assemblies aim to help children to feel more safe and secure while also improving resilience, emotional wellbeing and relationships with peers, family members and teachers. Children will gain an understanding of mental health and that it is as important as physical health. Following the delivery of the assemblies, children should feel more comfortable and confident when talking about their feelings.

“You delivered a powerful message and the staff and students will have gained a real understanding about what mental health is.”

– Kelly Woodburn, Head of PSHCE and Teacher of Science, Cottesloe School

The 10 assemblies are available free-of-charge to schools in Buckinghamshire on a first-come, first-served basis. Schools have already been contacted to make them aware of this exciting opportunity.

“We at Monodraught are delighted to be able to support Buckinghamshire Mind by providing a grant to help educate school children about mental health,” says Andrew McCubbin, Manager Director for Monodraught. “A key element of our Corporate Social Responsibility policy is partnering with a charity that makes a direct impact in terms of improving the lives of local people. Buckinghamshire Mind is an ideal partner for us.”

Monodraught, designs, manufactures and installs natural lighting, ventilation and cooling systems to create low energy, low carbon and sustainable buildings. In April 2018 it was granted the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category. Find out more about Monodraught at www.monodraught.com

For more information about Buckinghamshire Mind’s Education Service, please contact Zoe Sole on 07508 021911, email [email protected] or visit www.bucksmind.org.uk/services/mental-health-education-in-schools