A 17-year-old survivor of multiple suicide attempts is leading a campaign to embed suicide prevention education in the UK national curriculum, stressing the urgent need for mental health support in schools. Kai, who lives with complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), attachment disorder, and emotional dysregulation, believes that early education could save lives.
Speaking on Suicide Prevention Day, 10th September 2025, Kai said: “I’m really glad that suicide prevention is going to be taught in schools. I wish my teachers had understood me better. I often wonder whether having someone at school who could help me understand myself might have made a difference. I have flashbacks and nightmares. I’ve struggled a lot with the trauma I’ve experienced. Before I came to St Andrew’s, I was trying to end my life every day. It got to the point where everyone gave up on me. They said they could no longer manage the risks I posed.”
Kai’s mental health challenges began at the age of nine and became severe by 13. “School was hard. Teachers didn’t understand what I was going through. They thought I was just a naughty kid. I was moved out of several schools because they couldn’t manage the risks I presented. I was constantly sent out of class because I couldn’t concentrate or listen. At the time, I didn’t care. I was overwhelmed by everything going on in my head,” he said. “I just felt so alone. I had no hope for the future. When I first arrived at the CAMHS unit, I was very unwell. But no matter how bad things got, the staff never stopped trying. They never lost hope. They didn’t give up on me like others had.”
Kai received specialist treatment at St Andrew’s Healthcare’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in Northampton. The charity has expanded its LightBulb Mental Wellness Programme to support the Department for Education’s updated Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance, which now includes suicide prevention for secondary pupils. The programme, designed by teachers at St Andrew’s CAMHS College, provides early intervention courses for students who are struggling in school.
Headteacher Peter Rainford said: “Every behaviour is a form of communication. Children who are misbehaving, struggling to concentrate, becoming withdrawn, or even avoiding school altogether could benefit enormously from our LightBulb courses. Our programme is led by teachers who are experts in supporting young people with mental health difficulties. Together, we help students build emotional resilience, develop distress tolerance skills, and grow more confident in their decision-making. We’re offering pastoral support that many schools currently lack. We’re passionate about helping young people manage their emotions, improve friendships and social skills, and learn how to self-regulate when upset.”
The LightBulb programme runs in small groups over eight weekly sessions for both primary and secondary pupils. It uses activities and guided discussions to help students build resilience, express feelings, and develop coping strategies. Schools that take part receive a LightBulb certificate to recognise their commitment to mental health.
The initiative 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. NHS England reported that 445,000 young people accessed mental health services in November 2023, compared with 231,000 in 2019. With one in six school-aged children experiencing mental health issues, St Andrew’s programme is a timely addition.
St Andrew’s Healthcare, which operates in Northampton, Essex, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Derby, provides care for people with severe mental illnesses, learning disabilities, and autism, with a focus on personalised support and rehabilitation.