The Journey
Neil White, YACEP Certified Breathwork Coach, Cold Water Therapist and former senior leader, founded Breathwave for Schools after seeing first-hand an alarming increase in anxiety-related behaviour in schools.
- 1 in 5 children and young people face a probable mental health condition, a continuing rise
- A recent YouGov survey found that over 50% of children face barriers from seeking mental health support, despite struggling, because they are embarrassed, fearful or will not turn to someone they do not know
- Around half of mental health conditions develop by the age of 14, so supporting children early on is vital. Yet only 8% of NHS mental health spending goes on children’ s services
- The Government’s school-based Mental Health Support Teams will only reach 50% of pupils this year
- There were 32,521 referrals to CAMHS in 2022-23, an increase of more than 50 % from the 21,242 recorded in the pre-pandemic year 2019-20
Why Breathwave for Schools?
Witnessing these high levels of stress and anxiety in both children, young people, teachers and school leaders, and knowing the positive benefits that regular breathwork practice could bring, Neil began introducing short breathwork techniques into his teaching and coaching. The results were so positive, that he embarked on an intense research project to gather scientific and empirical evidence to support his findings.
It became clear that, unlike other methods, breathwork had the potential to allow adults and students to quickly change their state, manage stress and anxiety and ultimately achieve a more positive school environment. Neil was motivated by the prospect of improving the lives of young people and teachers significantly – increasing their ability to learn and thrive. The concept of Breathwave for Schools was born.
I believe Breathwave for Schools is so important for the future of our education system, the well-being of teachers and children, and the mental health of society. The Breathwave for Schools programme is designed to instil a sense of inner strength and empowerment in young people and teachers, allowing them to take control of their health, equipping them with vital tools to navigate the challenges of today’s world and prepare them for the future.
I’m here to support you every step of the way. Reach out today to find out how Breathwave for Schools can help you create a more positive and supportive learning environment in your school.