Webinar: How Can Anti-Racist Approaches Strengthen Mental Wellbeing in Education?

Chair: Natalie Merrett - Head of Knowledge Dissemination in Schools at Anna Freud

Natalie Merrett is an experienced leader with over 13 years in the non-profit sector, building and developing strong relationships with school and college communities. With her Knowledge Dissemination team, Natalie leads and develops programmes and initiatives that support mental health and wellbeing in education. This includes Government-funded projects, mental health and education networks, and anti-racism focused strategies.

Natalie is also a School Governor and EDI Trainer, leading Anna Freud’s in-house Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training which involves sensitive facilitation and encouraging open yet challenging conversations.

Benjamin Turner - Founder & Creative Director, Rap Club Productions C.I.C / The Spit Game

Turner is the Founder and Creative Director of Rap Club Productions C.I.C and The Spit Game, a youth-led creative organisation working at the intersection of education, culture and creativity. His work centres on anti-racism, safeguarding and mental wellbeing, using culturally responsive creative practice to explore the realities young people are navigating today. Turner’s films and programmes are developed directly with young people and schools, combining lived experience with rigorous care, structure and accountability.

Aisha Sanusi - Co-Founder and CEO of the African Caribbean Education Network (ACEN)

The ACEN is a national organisation connecting thousands of Black parents, students, educators, and professionals seeking to address inequity and racial justice by enhancing access and experiences in education and workplaces where there is an underrepresentation of young Black people.

Aisha is also Co Chair of Trustees for The Paradigm Project, an organisation focused on championing equity in education by using evidence-based, preventive, and upstream approaches to drive systemic and policy changes. She serves on the Education Advisory Board of the Black Equity Organisation (BEO), a national civil rights group working to end anti-Black racism in the UK, and is a Church of England Racial Justice Challenge Partner, collaborating to dismantle racial disparities across its institutions.

In addition, Aisha is a Trustee of the Dunraven Educational Multi Academy Trust, former Lead EDI Governor for St Paul’s School and a Magistrate.

Monisha Jefcut - Training Manager in the Schools Division at Anna Freud

Before joining Anna Freud, Monisha spent over 25 years working as a teacher and senior school leader, specialising in Behaviour and Safeguarding. Throughout her career, she has worked across a wide range of schools serving diverse communities, gaining extensive experience supporting ethnically minoritised children, young people, and families.

Monisha has led whole‑school anti‑racist initiatives, championed equity-focused practice, and supported staff to confidently challenge racist language, behaviours, and assumptions. Her work has centred on creating inclusive, culturally informed environments where all pupils feel safe, valued, and able to thrive.

With a deep understanding of the systemic challenges currently facing the education sector, Monisha is passionate about equipping schools and staff with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to promote the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people - particularly those disproportionately affected by inequality.

To help us continue providing the best possible mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people, webinars for education professionals are now ticketed and cost £10.  

Tickets include access to the live webinar, the opportunity to engage in Q&A discussion, and a link to the recording of the webinar following the event, which is valid for 30 days.   

Attendees will also receive access to follow-up resources to help embed learning.

For enquiries, please contact schoolsinmind@annafreud.org.

The online platform Zoom will be used to deliver this training. Prior to booking on, please ensure you meet the system requirements so you're able to join this training. Before the training, please test your equipment is working by going to zoom.us/test and follow the instructions.

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