Mental Health and Wellbeing
At Cutnall Green Primary School, we are committed to promoting and encouraging the positive mental health and emotional well-being of our children. We believe that the mental well-being of our children is key to developing happy, inquisitive learners who are able to face challenges in a positive and proactive way. Our school ethos and values underpin everything that we do, and we are relentless in the pursuit of a school community where everyone feels able to thrive.
What is good mental health?
Good mental health and wellbeing is just as important as good physical health. Like physical health, mental health can range across a spectrum from healthy to unwell; it can fluctuate on a daily basis and change over time.
Most children grow up mentally healthy, but surveys suggest that more children and young people have problems with their mental health today than 30 years ago. It is thought that this is probably because of changes in the way that we live now and how that affects the experience of growing up.
What helps?
Things that can help keep children and young people mentally well include:
- being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet, having a good night’s sleep and getting regular exercise
- being part of a family that gets along well most of the time
- going to a school that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils
- having time and the freedom to play, indoors and outdoors
- set limits for screen time and avoid screen time for at least an hour before going to sleep
- healthy balance of active and passive screen time
- taking part in local activities for young people.
Other factors are also important, including:
- feeling loved, trusted, understood, valued and safe
- being interested in life and having opportunities to enjoy themselves
- being hopeful and optimistic
- being able to learn and having opportunities to succeed
- accepting who they are and recognising what they are good at
- having a sense of belonging in their family, school and community
- feeling they have some control over their own life
- having the strength to cope when something is wrong (resilience) and the ability to solve problems.
What happens in school?
In school, we embed opportunities to support our children's mental health and well-being throughout our curriculum and daily practice. Some examples include:
- PSHE lessons focussing specifically on children's social and emotional skills
- Daily Collective Worship - giving us a time to come together and reflect
- Regular circle time sessions
- The Daily Mile
- Calm, relaxing music in classes
- Well-Being Ambassadors
- Termly Wellbeing Surveys
- Buddy bench
- Motional
- Self-Esteem, Social Skills and Friendship groups and individual work
- Forest School Activities
- Lego Therapy
- Calm Boxes in every classroom
- Yoga and relaxation activities
- Active participation in nation wide schemes such as Children's Mental Health Week (February)
- Drawing and Talking Sessions
Our school environment has also been designed with the aim of supporting children's well-being. Each classroom provides spaces for quiet reflection, whilst other areas are designed to stimulate children's engagement and natural curiosity.
Our Forest Area also provides a space for children to reconnect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors.
What if my child is experiencing difficulties with their mental health and wellbeing?
If you are ever worried about your child’s mental health and wellbeing then, just as you would about any concerns that you have about their learning, come and talk to us. Sometimes children will need additional support for a short period – this may be in the form of a daily check-in with a trusted adult, time to talk through what they are feeling and support in developing ways of moving forwards with this. Do not hesitate to speak to your child's teacher to open up these important conversations; we are here to help.
Looking after yourself
If things are getting you down, it’s important to recognise this. It is easy to go on struggling with very difficult situations because you feel that you should be able to cope and should not need any help, but the truth is - we all need help from time to time. Come and talk and let us know when things are tough. We may be able to help, or signpost you in the best direction.
We have put together some links to some helpful resources:
THE LITTLE BOOK OF MENTAL HEALTH – WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Whether you sometimes experience difficulties yourself or are supporting someone else who struggles with anxiety or depression, this booklet is for you. It gives you useful tips on managing these problems and advice about when and where to seek help. Importantly, it looks at things we can all do avoid mental distress and improve our everyday emotional well-being.
School health nurses offer a range of services such as home visits, health needs assessments, time4u drop-in service, school aged hearing and national child measurement programme to support the needs of children and their families
SOCIAL PRESCRIBING: ONSIDE ADVOCACY, WORCESTERSHIRE
Social Prescribers support you to take control of your health and look after yourself by making connections with the different types of community support available.
Kooth is an online mental wellbeing community which offers free, safe, and anonymous support.
PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.
Healthy Minds is your local IAPT service, IAPT stands for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies. All of us at some point feel low, anxious, worried or depressed. It is completely normal but it can also start to impact what we do and who we are and when we reach that point it is important to get help to prevent these feelings getting worse. We understand that seeking support is a big step. There are many situations in a person’s life which may cause stress, anxiety, low mood or depression. We hope to provide you with support and information that will help you feel yourself again.
Are you a parent or carer who is concerned about the mental health of your child or teenager? Do you just want some hints and tips on parenting? MindEd for Families has advice and information from trusted experts and will help you to understand what problems occur, what you can do to best support your family, and how to take care of yourself. MindEd for Families is written by a team of specialists and parents, working together. You do not need to register to use these resources.
‘Explore our content and resources designed to give you more information about mental health, how to look after your mental health and help prevent mental ill health from developing in the first place. It’s all based on the evidence and experiences of people like you.’
The Incredible Years programs for parents, children, and teachers are delivered by group leaders. Parents and Teachers may encourage those in their area to consider implementing the programs.
The Starting Well Partnership offer a range of health services which support both children and families experiencing a range of health issues.
TEXT SERVICE SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE
Young people needing advice or support in Worcestershire can access ChatHealth – a free and confidential text service which puts them in touch with their local school health nurses. ChatHealth is a secure and confidential text messaging service available to 11-19-year-olds in the county.
CAMHS provide mental health help to children, young people and their families across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
The Reach4Wellbeing team promotes positive wellbeing to reduce the stigma of mental health by providing short-term group programmes for children and young people age 5-18 experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and low mood.
A unique charity dedicated to reducing the feelings of isolation and disconnection.
Providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
The Child Mind Institute is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need to thrive. (This is based in the US but has good information)
Anytime online courses for parents to support emotional health and wellbeing.
Their vision is for every child and adult to be able to realise their individual potential, enjoy positive relationships and live healthy and fulfilled lives. Theis page has resources for supporting you to get the best from family life.
The Hub of Hope is a first of its kind, national mental health database which brings together organisations and charities, large and small, from across the country who offer mental health advice and support, together in one place.
The overarching aim of the PuP program is to help parents facing adversity develop positive and secure relationships with their children. Within this strength-based approach, the family environment becomes more nurturing and less conflictual and both parents and children learn to self-regulate their behaviour.