What is expected from me? Your role
As a teacher, leader, or F3 coordinator, you support student wellbeing within clear professional boundaries. This section follows the F3 / EWS framework for safe responses in school.
If a student
- Shows strong distress
- Shares serious mental health issues
You should
- Listen calmly
- Avoid giving advice beyond your role
- Refer to appropriate services
Important rule: never
- Diagnose
- Promise confidentiality in crisis situations
- Handle severe cases alone
Response flowchart
3. Pedagogical approach
Prevention and psychoeducation come before intervention. Use F3 materials to build literacy and reduce stigma, not to treat mental illness in the classroom.
Recommended methods
- Short, structured activities from the F3 trainings toolbox
- Optional online modules (student-paced, anonymous)
- Whole-school visibility: plaque, stickers, annual intro event
- Link to school psychologist and leadership when risk appears
- Promote help-seeking without forcing disclosure
What is an F3 School?
An F3 School is a VET institution that joins the network and commits to visible annual actions for mental health promotion. Partners are listed on the project website with the F3 School badge.
Action: Nominate one F3 coordinator and confirm your school name for the public partner list.
Benefits
| Benefit | What you get |
|---|---|
| Badge & listing | F3 School badge and website partner page |
| Toolkit | Trainings, online course, facilitator activity plans |
| Community | CoP invitations and peer learning |
| Visibility pack | Plaque and sticker pack for corridors and common spaces |
Annual requirements (to keep the badge)
| Requirement | Responsible | Deadline | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coordinator | School leadership | Start of school year | Named contact on file |
| Introduction event | F3 coordinator + leadership | Once per year | Agenda, attendance note, photos optional |
| Plaque | Coordinator | Ongoing | Visible on site (reception or common area) |
| Stickers | Coordinator + staff | Within first term | 8 EWS awareness stickers in agreed areas |
| Staff training | Each teacher / year coordinator | Once per year | 1 F3 training completed |
| Course promotion | Coordinator | Once per year | Link shared (poster, QR, or assembly) |
| Check-in email | Coordinator | Twice per year | Reply to consortium form |
Introduction event (minimum agenda)
| Time | Activity | Who | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–10 min | Why mental health matters in VET | Coordinator or guest | 2–3 local examples, no personal stories |
| 10–25 min | F3 tools: course, toolkit, whole-school approach | Coordinator | QR card, course link, plaque preview |
| 25–35 min | Early Warning System as school resource | Coordinator | EWS demo optional, privacy rules |
| 35–45 min | Q&A and next steps | All | Handout: coordinator contact, sticker map |
Check-in email (twice per year)
Coordinators receive a short form. Answer using these action cards as a guide:
Student course and privacy
The online course is optional and anonymous (progress on the learner device only). Schools do not collect individual reflection text or quiz answers.
Important: Certificates require students to complete sections and pass module quizzes on their own device, schools do not verify individual answers.
Active partners may use the F3 School badge on project-linked materials. If requirements lapse, status moves to inactive until renewed.
Contact: INETE / ENSINUS, contact your F3 project coordinator at your school or via the consortium partner listed on fitterminds.inete.pt/ews.
Commitment checklist
School: _________________________
Coordinator: _________________________
Date: _________________________ Signature: _________________________