Becca Randell’s guide to digital mental health for children and young people is informative, evidence-based, insightful, and extremely timely. The A to Z list of topics, from AI to Zoning Out, covers a diverse set of key contemporary issues that are playing out in the everyday digital worlds of children and young people, and spilling over into their offline interactions with each other and with the adults in their lives.
Becca Randell combines deep knowledge and understanding from her extensive professional experience with the latest statistical data, research findings, and new evidence from extensive consultation with parents, with educators and other professionals, and importantly with children and young people themselves. As well as setting out a helpful overarching framework that integrates these insights, the guide will help readers navigate what often feels like a bewildering set of challenges in today’s digital world, with simple but powerful activities and practical tips.”
— Professor Robin Banerjee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global and Civic Engagement,University of Sussex
“This book is an indispensable guide for parents, teachers, educators and professionals navigating the ever-evolving world of children and young people’s digital mental health. Drawing on Becca’s extensive experience and expertise, it explores the pressing challenges young people face online - from fake news and body image pressures to digital self-harm, trolling, gambling, gaming, online hate, FOMO, influencers, and AI. In a time of uncertainty, with limited regulation and guidance from authorities, it provides practical insights and reassurance, helping adults support young people safely, confidently, and compassionately in the digital age.”
— Emily Brock, CEO, YMCA DownsLink Group
"As schools continue to navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by an increasingly digital world, this book provides a timely and practical framework for embedding digital mental health within a whole-school approach. It recognises that supporting children's mental health is no longer separate from supporting their digital lives, and offers evidence-informed guidance that is accessible to leaders, staff and mental health professionals alike.
This resource aligns closely with the work of Mental Health Support Teams, complementing their role in promoting prevention, early intervention and system-wide change. Rather than focusing solely on individual interventions, it helps schools build sustainable cultures that promote resilience, healthy digital habits and emotionally safe learning environments.
For school leaders, designated senior mental health leads, MHST practitioners and education professionals, this is an invaluable resource. It bridges research, policy and practice, providing practical strategies that can be implemented across the whole school community. At a time when digital wellbeing has become integral to children's mental health, this book offers a clear vision for how education and health can work together to improve outcomes for all young people." Laura Whixton, Programme Manager (Mental Health Support Teams) NHS England
“This valuable resource draws upon the latest research to illuminate the power of working across the whole school and college community to promote mental health and wellbeing in our digital age. Becca Randell’s extensive experience and expertise shine through in this volume, which is packed with user-friendly tips and strategies that will help staff work effectively with young people, parents and carers, and the wider community, as well as with each other!” Professor Robin Banerjee, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Sussex
“The resources offer a thought-provoking contribution to the growing conversation around digital wellbeing in schools and colleges, highlighting a range of issues and possible approaches for leaders and governing bodies to reflect upon within their own context” Fiona Collier, Chair National Association of Governance Advisory Services (NAGAS)
"Digital wellbeing is a shared responsibility across the whole school community. These resources provide practical, evidence-informed ways to meaningfully embed a positive culture around digital wellbeing within your school or college. The importance of placing pupil voice at the heart of that work, is crucial to ensure our good intentions, actually have the impacts we hope - supporting youth mental health, inclusion and healthy relationships with technology." Hannah Vickery, CEO The Charlie Waller Trust
"Digital Mental Health for Schools exemplifies this approach by providing schools with a practical, evidence-informed framework that transforms policy into meaningful action. Its focus on prevention, digital inclusion, workforce wellbeing and co-designed resources demonstrates how education and health can work together to support the mental wellbeing of children and young people. This is a timely and valuable resource that will help educational settings embed sustainable, scalable approaches to digital wellbeing while strengthening collaboration across education, health and care." Professor Hatim Abdulhussein, CEO Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex and Hon Prof of Innovation and AI, University of Surrey
