Petition launched calling for wellbeing to be taught in UK schools
Yoga and Mindfulness instructor says mental health lessons in schools are needed now more than ever
A petition's been launched calling for schools to teach children new skills to help them look after their own mental health.
Wellbeing and yoga instructor Katie Scott has told us she was inspired to act after seeing the issues facing pupils of all ages first-hand.
She says over decades in classrooms across Merseyside, she sees how anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts have become more common.
She says something needs to change - and quickly.
'Children need to relax'
Speaking to our Mental Health Monday Podcast, Katie said: "We need to address this.
"We can't keep going the way we are, the curriculum needs to change.
"Every day in school, children should have time out throughout their day to learn skills to reduce anxiety, ways to help with their own emotional wellbeing, and build their self confidence.
Katie says lessons would also look at teaching children about the difference between safe and unsafe relationships, and how to switch off to the "noise" of the modern world.
She said: "They need that time to relax and have that time out.
"The only place they can get that really, unless parents do it with them, is that time in school which I think is just so necessary for everybody.
Petition live on the government website
Katie's Little Sunshine yoga and mindfulness classes have been visiting schools across the region for the last six years.
She says the effects of the pandemic, and the cost of living crisis have exacerbated some of the issues that children now face, and that a direct approach to support is needed to help them now, as well as in the future.
She said: "It's more important than anything else, for me. If you're given these tools from a young age, and everybody's working together then hopefully for our future generations there's going to be a difference there.
The petition is live on the UK Government's petitions page
Listen to Katie's story in full on the Mental Health Monday Podcast