In this episode of the Nip in the Bud podcast, Alis Rocca speaks with Vanessa Longley, the Chief Executive of Chance UK, about the critical importance of early intervention in children's mental health. They discuss the challenges faced by vulnerable children, the significance of amplifying young voices, and the need for genuine relationships between adults and children. Vanessa shares insights on mentoring, the impact of exclusion and suspension, and the necessity of empathy in education. The conversation emphasizes the importance of resilience, understanding behavior, and the role of labels in shaping identity, ultimately advocating for a supportive environment for all children.

Takeaways:

Early intervention can prevent mental health crises in children.
Listening to children helps us understand their needs better.
Building genuine relationships with children is crucial for their development.
Teachers should approach misbehavior with curiosity and empathy.
Parents should model emotional awareness for their children.
Mentoring provides children with trusted adults to support them.
It's important to seek help early when concerns arise about a child's behavior.
The mental health crisis among children is exacerbated by societal pressures.
Resilience can be taught through real-life experiences and modeling.
Creating safe spaces at home fosters open communication with children.

Keywords:

mental health, children, early intervention, education, parenting, Chance UK, resilience, support, mentoring, identity

Chance UK

https://www.chanceuk.com/exclusions-2/

Nip in the Bud - Where to get help

https://nipinthebud.org/where-to-get-help/