When students return to school in September 2021, we will be 18 months into a pandemic that has had a profound impact on the mental health and welling of many young people – especially those with preexisting mental health conditions. This very practical session will discuss what kind of mental health and wellbeing challenges students may be struggling with come the new academic, what the early tell-tale signs are that professionals should be on the look-out for, and how we might intervene.

Drawing on her vast experience and expertise, Dr Pooky Knightsmith will describe a number of potential conditions that we can expect young people to be affected by, including those which will have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

She will describe the various, potential early warning signs and how we might intervene, refer or signpost in order to ensure our students access the right support. From anxiety and self-harm to emotionally based school refusal or post-traumatic stress disorder, this session promises to be very practical and insightful for delegates.