Maudsley Education Consultation Service (MECS)
Through MECS, we aim to improve children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing, one school at a time. The voice of local communities is central to everything we do, and where possible, we collaborate with local partners.
What is MECS?
The Maudsley Education Consultation Service (MECS) is a London-based team of researchers from King’s College London and mental health professionals from South London and Maudsley, working together within the King’s Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People to address the rise in mental health and wellbeing needs in children and young people.
Why is our work important?
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been an increase in mental health and wellbeing difficulties in children and young people (NHS Digital, 2023), many of whom struggle to get support due to limited provision and barriers in accessing clinical care (SE London ICS, 2024). And while schools are expected to support their students (DfE, 2021), they often lack the training and resources to do so.
Our goal is to equip schools with the knowledge and tools they need to deliver a Whole School Approach to students’ mental health & wellbeing.
Our Initiatives
MECS School Resilience Project (SRP)
The SRP helps schools identify and address student mental health and wellbeing needs through a combination of surveys and community-led focus groups to shape tailored interventions and improve the support available to students.
School Mental Health Innovation Network (SMHIN)
The SMHIN will bring together researchers, clinicians, policymakers and the school community to co-create interventions that would target the specific mental health and wellbeing needs of schools and young people.
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) in Croydon
This exciting project has been launched with Harris Federation schools in Croydon to support young people and families experiencing EBSA as they transition to secondary school.
Our Partners
Our Team
We are a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, and mental health professionals from King’s College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
Want to get in touch?
Whether you are a school, a research group or an organisation, we would love to hear from you! Contact us if you have any questions, would like to collaborate and/or to hear more about our initiatives.
Email Address: mecs@slam.nhs.uk
Address
The Michael Rutter Centre
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust- Maudsley Hospital
De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AB