‘Be Herd’ project praised by MSPs

telling the parliament loud and clear that the system is failing young people across Scotland and the services are simply not there.

He continued: “The Scottish Government can learn from Whitburn Academy and should refocus its work on prevention, early intervention and promoting wellbeing across Scotland.”

MSP Angela Constance was next to speak and agreed that the voices of these young people should be taken into consideration.

Angela said: “I am very glad to place on record my appreciation of Whitburn Academy’s Be Herd group and everything they are doing to shatter the myths and stigma surrounding mental health.

“I think it is a good suggestion that public policy in services in Scotland should always be informed first and foremost by those with lived experience.”

Mrs Constance also took time to praise other West Lothian schools for tackling mental health issues. She spoke of the efforts that Inveralmond Community High School had put in during Mental Health Week, and also highlighted the work that the suicide prevention charity Neil’s Hugs have recently undertaken with West Calder High School, St Margaret’s Academy and West Lothian College.

The children, parents and staff from Whitburn Academy applauded from the gallery after both MSPs had spoken.

Be Herd is a pupil led health and wellbeing imitative at Whitburn Academy that encourages pupils, staff, parents and the wider community to talk about mental health.

Already they have set-up a wellbeing hub within the school where pupils can go to relax, or get advice. Added to that they have trained up 50 mental health first aiders, 20 trained suicide prevention officers and 10 LGBT ambassadors within the school.