Free resources to develop mental health literacy for secondary schools and colleges
BrainWaves has developed a unique series of evidence-based lessons to support mental health literacy for secondary year students. It is a multi-year mental health initiative and is free for any school to access. The lessons are designed to improve students’ mental health and wellbeing.
The Key Stage 5 lessons for Year 12 students are available now and can be accessed via our dedicated schools portal: education.brainwaveshub.org, where you can also find all our teaching resources and support for teachers. A range of lessons for KS3 and 4 will be available from January 2024.
Educational experts and researchers have helped design these lessons, basing them on topics resonating with young people and drawing on in depth focus groups and research.
Real-world scenarios and videos are used to present the most up-to-date science, as well as practical strategies to help young people cope better with the challenges of modern teenage life. Each BrainWaves lesson challenges students to think critically about a range of mental health issues. The relationship between their own thinking and real-life data is examined, helping them to think independently about how they can reduce any risk to themselves.

Our educational approach
The goal of the BrainWaves curriculum is to provide a programme of lessons that are evidence-based, engaging and empowering for students. We aim to give young people more agency in learning about and managing their mental health, by creating optimism about change and their potential to flourish. The lessons support students in the development of:
A positive self-concept and self-awareness
Relationship and social and emotional skills
Resilience and persistence
An understanding of the relationship between mind and body
Ability to think beyond one’s own concerns and focus on and engage with others
Critical thinking and information literacy

Teacher Resources
One of BrainWaves’ goals is to ensure teachers have the confidence and skills to teach lessons about mental health to teenagers. Our resources include:
- Clear and accessible lesson plans and teacher notes
- Scientific guides summarising the key science behind the strategies advocated
- A series of webinars to help teachers understand the scientific background and content of the lessons. These webinars are useful for continuing professional development (CPD).
- Guidance and advice on pedagogical issues, such as differentiation, questioning techniques and encouraging student discussion about sensitive issues.


School-based Interventions
A key element of the BrainWaves study is the trialling of school-based mental health interventions within our BrainWaves Research Schools and Colleges. Young people are invited to take part in a carefully monitored and analysed programme of mental health and wellbeing activities and learn about the value of research. Teachers are provided with in-depth training and support to help implement and manage the interventions. By taking part in the BrainWaves study, young people and schools can help shape the evidence-base behind these interventions and feedback into their future design in a very real way.
Get involved! If you’d like to find our more about becoming a BrainWaves Research School or College, please contact our team at support@brainwaveshub.org.
Get in touch
Email us if you would like more information about BrainWaves, our free educational materials or to find out how your school can enrol as a BrainWaves Research School or College.