GRaCE MasterClasses for sixth form students

Two “MasterClasses” in December were conducted with over 60 sixth-form students from schools ranging from locations in Suffolk to Shropshire, as well as more local ones. The focus was on mental health in the community, with a workshop where the students tried out the GRaCE-AGE technology.

ABSTRACT: Life in the modern world is complex and often stressful for everyone. It has implications for how we think and feel, including our general mental health and wellbeing. We all become anxious, distressed, and  depressed on occasions and it is important to recognise how these states of mind can affect our decision making.

This session will explore the issues involved and  demonstrate how the web-based GRaCE decision support system can help identify problems and provide support for ourselves or our friends and families who may be suffering from mental-health difficulties.

We were privileged to have Julie Turner from Theale Green school in Reading present. She has specialised in children with behavioural and emotional difficulties throughout her career and was able to give the context for how GRaCE mental-health research at Aston University has great relevance for schools.

The students tried myGRaCE in our computer labs and were able to give some highly informative feedback on how it could be developed to fit their own circumstances. We are grateful to Theale Green school for releasing Julie and for the interest and engagement of the students.