The Molly Rose Foundation is delighted to announce it has launched a partnership with Leeds Beckett University in its mission to protect mental health online.
It comes following the inquest into Molly’s death, which saw the coroner call for major social media firms to take more action to keep young people safe online.
The move will see the university’s Mental Health in Schools Award, which is run by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, updated to include new statements directly relating to digital safety.
The Mental Health in Schools Award from Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Education is the first award of its kind in the UK and schools participating in the scheme will be required to have specialist points of contact who can provide guidance and advice relating to maintaining positive mental health online.
They will also provide students with up-to-date knowledge about how to access specific support, and to consistently monitor social media trends that could impact on student mental health.
A spokesperson for the Molly Rose Foundation said: “This is such an important area as demonstrated by the findings of the inquest into the death of Molly Russell. We believe that through the accountability of the Mental Health Award, schools will be able to provide stronger support for young people’s mental wellbeing.”
Rachel C. Boyle, Dean of the Carnegie School of Education, said: “The Carnegie School of Education is honoured to be working with the Molly Rose Foundation to develop and enhance mental health provision in schools.
“This exciting partnership enables us to work meaningfully on key issues associated with mental health whilst honouring the memory of Molly Russell. We believe this is just the beginning of essential work needed to develop practices around mental health in education and digital wellbeing.”
If you’re struggling just text MRF to 85258 so you can speak to a trained volunteer from Shout, the UK’s Crisis Text Line service
