This Much I Know About Mind Over Matter ...: Improving Mental Health in Our Schools

This Much I Know About Mind Over Matter is replete with truths about the mental well-being of children in state schools, about creating a school culture where everyone can, not just survive, but thrive, and about living in the shadow of manic depression. With his typical mixture of experience, wisdom and research-based evidence, John Tomsett explains how he manages the pressure of modern day state school headship. He interweaves his authentic personal experience of a childhood traumatised by his mother's manic depression with his strategies for turning the tide of students' mental health problems and surviving as a head teacher in a climate where you are only as good as your last set of examination results. He addresses the growing issue of children's mental health issues with refreshing honesty, offering up a plan for averting a mental health crisis in our schools.

The autobiographical narrative modulates between self-effacing humour and heart-wrenching stories of his mother's life, blighted by mental illness. His professional reflections are a wisdom-filled blend of evidence-based policy and decades of experience in teaching and school leadership.Tomsett writes with genuine humility. His prose is beautiful in its seeming simplicity. When you pick up one of his books you will find you have read the first fifty pages before you have even noticed: surely the hallmark of truly great writing. Suitable for teachers, leaders and anyone with an interest in mental health in schools.