The history of AMHIE.

Originally recognising a need for the training of Mental Health Aware Leadership, Richard Daniel Curtis set up the Mental Health Awareness Programme in 2018. He started developing the National Educational Leaders in Mental Health for School Leaders who passed an assessment related to their awareness of mental health ethos and culture provision.

As a result of the green paper “Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision” the government committed to providing trained mental health leads in schools. With the announcement of the mental health lead role from the Department of Education, Richard developed training for mental health leads. This in turn lead to the creation of the National Network of Mental Health Leads in 2021.

The courses became more formalised, leading to qualifications and became the core of the Network. Richard recognised that the role would be very isolating and so there was a need for continued personal development opportunities for people who were being trained as a mental health lead. This led to the Network being established as a consortium of Local Authorities and Providers across the country in order to be able to not only provide training for mental health leads but provide ongoing support, information and guidance.

As the DfE’s programme of mental health lead training progressed, the needs of the sector changed. Recognising this shift, the Committee members of the National Network of Mental Health Leads decided to open membership to a wider cohort to reflect this need. Therefore, the Association of Mental Health in Education was formally launched in 2024, representing those working in schools, colleges, universities, adult education and early years providers and giving them much needed support and guidance.

What AMHIE offers now.

AMHIE have developed a community for it’s members and anyone from the wider mental health in education sector. We offer support to our members through Membership, In-Person CPD, Services and Training.

Membership to AMHIE starts at a free level which offers benefits to support you in your role, as well as keeping you updated with recent news, our blogs and the latest research. If you want more done–for–you services, then we also offer paid memberships to Individuals, Students, Educational Settings and Providers.

Our Regional In-Person CPD events have been developed through feedback from our attendess, limited to just 50 attendees per event and dotted around the country they offer a unique ethos, with a quiet, nurturing approach.

Through our partners and members, we now offer services based on direct feedback on current requirements, which reflect the needs of the wider community.

AMHIE training supports you to meet the wellbeing needs of those you work with through a range of professional development opportunities. We offer in-person CPD, Mentoring training, Mental Health Lead training and Mental Health CPD. For full members we can also offer free CPD courses and free support Q and A’s (also available with any training booking).

The Association keeps up-to-date with all current sector news, latest research and current expectations, releasing content, blogs, resources and updates to it’s members and the wider community. We will be starting to offer working parties for the new academic year for anyone with a free or paid membership to AMHIE, they are meetings to discuss elements of your role, share tips, ideas and experience. AMHIE arrange it all, so all you need to do is show up when you want to join in!

Visit ‘Our Offer’ page to read more on what AMHIE currently offer.

What’s next for AMHIE?

We are guided by our members, evolving to meet the needs of the sector in reaction to latest news, updates from the DfE, funding updates and latest research. AMHIE are working to support every educational setting in the UK and aim to grow our community to include over half of all schools and colleges in the UK by the year 2027.

The Association sponsors the National Mental Health in Education Awards, a celebration of successful interventions and support. The Awards champion those who have worked hard to make a difference in their communities through hard work and heart-felt devotion. 

Our National Steering Group will continue to meet to decide the next steps for AMHIE, you can read more below:

The history of the National Committee.

Following the release of the green paper “Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision” the government committed to providing trained mental health leads in schools. With the announcement of the mental health lead role from the Department of Education, Richard developed training for mental health leads. This in turn lead to the creation of the National Network of Mental Health Leads in 2021.

The National Committee was formed to steer the National agenda for the National Network of Mental Health Leads. Formed of professionals working within the sector, the committee draws from the experience of working on the frontline to face current issues.

The Association began.

At the start of 2024, the National Committee made the decision to rename the National Network of Mental Health Leads to The Association of Mental Health in Education in order to better reflect the growing community around the role. AMHIE launched in April 2024 and continues to grow and develop under the watchful guidance of the committee.

Steering the national picture.

As AMHIE has developed the Committee continue to steer the national picture and how they can best continue to support and nurture our community. The name of ‘National Committee’ was shelved in favour of the ‘National Steering Group’ to better reflect the nature of how they develop and ‘steer’ the Association.

How you can help.

Can you help us steer the National picture for the association? The National Steering Group meet every 5-8 weeks for a short meeting to discuss the Association, what has been working, what has been less successful and what is needed to develop further. The expectation is that each member would attend at least 3 meetings a year, each meeting being a maximum of 2 hours.

To have a say in AMHIE and how we develop to support the sector, all you need to do is contact us before the beginning of June to join in the start of the new academic year.

Contact us on info@rootofit.com and express your interest today!

Questions? Ask us! 02381 120010.

The Mental Health in Education Awards are a celebration of successful interventions and support. Since 2023, organisations, services and individuals have been awarded for their relentless work toward making a difference in their communities. This award symbolises hard work and heart-felt devotion. Let us know about people and organisations who deserve to receive a Mental Health in Education Award!

Find out more and put your entry in for the awards: