Support for antisuicide initiatives in UK educational institutions by youth advocacy group
In a moving speech on Suicide Prevention Day, 10th September 2025, 17-year-old Kai Cenat spoke about the importance of mental health support in schools. Kai, who has a history of multiple suicide attempts and lives with complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), attachment disorder, and emotional dysregulation, is a testament to the transformative power of mental health care. Kai's mental health challenges began at the age of nine and became severe by the time he was 13. He credits the staff at St Andrew's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) for never giving up on him, even when others had. It was at St Andrew's CAMHS College that Kai received specialist treatment and later participated in the LightBulb Mental Wellness Programme, a charity initiative designed by teachers at St Andrew's CAMHS College. St Andrew's Healthcare, a leading provider of care for people with severe mental illnesses, learning disabilities, and autism, operates in Northampton, Essex, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Derby. The LightBulb programme, which uses activities and guided discussions to help students build resilience, express feelings, and develop coping strategies, is part of St Andrew's charity initiative. The LightBulb programme, led by teachers expert in supporting young people with mental health difficulties, runs in small groups over eight weekly sessions for both primary and secondary pupils. The programme aligns with the government's plan to ensure all schools have access to mental health professionals by 2029/30, supported by £680 million in funding to recruit 8,500 workers. Schools that take part in the LightBulb programme receive a certificate to recognise their commitment to mental health. The LightBulb programme has expanded to support the Department for Education's updated Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance, which now includes suicide prevention for secondary pupils. This timely addition comes as one in six school-aged children experience mental health issues, making the programme a crucial resource for schools across the UK. The government's plan also includes the recruitment of 8,500 mental health workers to ensure all schools have access to mental health professionals. This move is a significant step towards destigmatising mental health and ensuring that every child receives the support they need to thrive. Kai's campaign for suicide prevention education in the UK national curriculum is a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health support in schools. His story serves as a beacon of hope for many young people struggling with mental health issues, and his advocacy is helping to pave the way for a future where every child receives the care and support they need to live happy, healthy lives.
