NINA SMITH

Nina Smith is a Lecturer in Primary Education at Edge Hill University, specialising in children and young people’s mental health, suicide prevention, SEND and inclusive education. Her research focuses on how schools and communities can improve mental health outcomes through evidence-informed, context-specific approaches.

A Churchill Fellow, Nina conducted international research across Australia and the USA on school-based suicide prevention, culminating in her published report Suicide Prevention in Schools, which has informed UK policy discussions and contributed to the successful inclusion of suicide prevention within the national curriculum.

Link to Nina's Churchill Fellowship report

Link to news report highlighting the impact of Nina's research

Her earlier Master’s research, funded by Everton in the Community, examined self-harm and suicide prevention in educational contexts and has been presented internationally.

Nina’s PhD evaluated a £48 million national investment programme, exploring governance, partnerships and inequalities. Her work bridges research, policy and practice, underpinned by ten years’ professional experience as a primary school teacher and a personal commitment to suicide prevention.

Nina’s research explores how education and community settings can contribute to suicide prevention and improved mental health outcomes for children, young people, and adults. She is particularly interested in the links between SEND and suicide risk, and in developing practical, evidence-based approaches that equip educators and communities to recognise and respond to distress.

Link to post highlighting how Nina's work is helping the 3 Dads Walking with their campaign for curriculum change

Her work involves the development and evaluation of suicide prevention training and interventions for schools and community organisations. Current projects include collaboration on the MAPSS (Multi-Modal Approach to Preventing Suicide in Schools) trial with Liverpool John Moores University and Orygen, Australia.

Broader research interests include school-based mental health policy, inclusion and inequality, and the use of applied research to inform national strategies and curriculum reform.

Nina teaches across undergraduate, postgraduate, and initial teacher education programmes at Edge Hill University. Her teaching focuses on children’s social and emotional development, mental health, inclusion, and suicide prevention in educational settings.

She contributes to the Primary PGCE pathways and the MA Education programme, and supervises Master’s dissertations exploring topics involving mental health, suicide prevention, and inclusive practice.

Nina also delivers suicide prevention training to all trainee teachers, as part of Edge Hill University’s commitment to embed her Churchill Fellowship recommendations within its teacher education curriculum.

Nina is actively engaged in public and professional conversations on suicide prevention and mental health education. She regularly presents at national conferences, including Suicide Bereavement UK, Hope for Life (The Jordan Legacy), and upcoming events hosted by Harmless: The Centre of Excellence for Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention.

Link to feature in Children and Young People Now Magazine

Her advocacy and research have been featured across a range of media, including ITV News and Children and Young People Now Magazine, and she has participated in podcasts discussing evidence-based approaches to suicide prevention in education.

Link to feature on ITV about Nina's research and lived experience

Nina also works in partnership with key figures and community organisations, such as 3 Dads Walking and Wigan Warriors, to support mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. Through these collaborations, she continues to bridge academic research, lived experience, and real-world practice.

Link to video of Nina speaking with Bevan French of Wigan Warriors