We are proud to share that Aspen Heights British School won the award for the Outstanding Mental Health Initiative in Education, at the 2024 Mentl Awards.
Now in their second year, the Mentl Awards are a powerful platform celebrating initiatives that amplify unheard voices, demonstrate empathy, and promote resilience. The awards recognise individuals and organisations dedicated to supporting mental health in communities and workplaces.
This year’s panel of esteemed judges included leading mental health advocates and industry professionals who share a passion for driving positive change. Scott Armstrong, founder of Mentl, highlighted what set Aspen Heights apart. He stated, “What truly stood out in the submission was not only the heart and passion behind the initiative but also the compelling data and evidence the school provided to demonstrate the real and measurable change being achieved. It showcased a perfect balance of empathy and impact, which is exactly what we were looking for in this category.”
Redah Khan, School Counsellor at Aspen Heights British School was one of the individuals who led on the award submission and many of the wellbeing activities taking place at the school. Here is what she had to say about the process.
“This year, I had the privilege of leading an initiative that truly embodies our school's commitment to fostering a culture of care and support: The Mental Health Ambassador Programme. It was one of the first things I talked about when sharing my ambitions for the school's well-being programme when I first started. From its inception, budget approval to the culmination of this award submission, this journey has been both rewarding and reflective. It has harnessed the resilience of my students so many of whom are navigating issues with grace and leaning into the resources available to them.
The programme was designed with a clear purpose: to empower students to support their peers while also prioritising their own well-being. We have been administering well-being surveys to our secondary students that indicated that a up to 81% of students who sought counselling had never spoken to an adult about their concerns before, highlighting a gap which we sought to fill a peer support programme that not only addressed this issue but also worked to break the stigma around mental health.
Initially, we selected four teacher-nominated students to lead the way. They were trained externally through a leading Mental Health Provider, The LightHouse Arabia and completed the Teen to Teen Mental Health First Aid course. To ensure the ambassadors felt supported throughout, they were mentored by our team of six trained adult-to-adolescent Mental Health First Aiders. This mentorship was pivotal in creating a safe environment where ambassadors could confidently lead
initiatives without feeling overwhelmed. Our ambassadors ran their first Mental Health Week at the school with support from myself and their mentors, delivering impactful assemblies across all school phases, covering topics such as the connection between mental and physical health, addressing stigma, and identifying support pathways.
The process of compiling our award submission was an opportunity to reflect on the depth and breadth of what we had achieved. It was not just about listing activities but about demonstrating how a thoughtful, student-centered approach can create lasting impact. The submission highlighted that our MHA's were able to support 33 students by simply being approachable and available to their peers.
While the award recognition is gratifying, the real success lies in the relationships built, the conversations started, and the courage shown by our students. Watching them step into leadership roles, share their experiences, and support their peers has been nothing short of inspiring. It has also underscored the vital role we play as educators in creating spaces where students feel seen, heard, and valued.
I am immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together. This programme reminded me that meaningful change starts with small, intentional steps—conversations, mentorship, and a shared commitment to well-being. Thank you to all the teachers who supported this initiative, whether by encouraging students to participate, providing feedback, or simply being champions of mental health in your classrooms.
This year we've expanded this programme and now have 21 new Mental Health Ambassadors who are actively creating Well-being Wednesday videos, participating in Well-being Weekends and also getting ready for our upcoming first Mental Health Fair! I can't wait to see all their efforts translate into positive, meaningful change in our school community!”
