Positive Mental Health
For the Parents of St Bernadette's - St Bernadette's Well Being Cafe
Children's Mental Health Week 6th February to 10th February 2023 based on theme Let's Connect. Please see February newsletter for more details.
Mental health problems affect about 1 in 10 children and young people. They include depression, anxiety and conduct disorder, and are often a direct response to what is happening in their lives.
Alarmingly, however, 70% of children and young people who experience a mental health problem have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age.
At St Bernadette's we recognise that the emotional wellbeing of children is just as important as their physical health and academic progress. Good mental health allows children and young people to develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults.
Things that can help keep children and young people mentally well include:
- being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise
- having time and the freedom to play, indoors and outdoors
- being part of a family that gets along well most of the time
- going to a school such as St Bernadette's that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils
- 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.
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. That’s probably because of changes in the way we live now and how that affects the experience of growing up.
(Mental Health Foundation)
City Mental Health Alliance - Mental Health difficulties in children - A toolkit for parents
Supporting Parents Helpfinder (Young Minds)
Times are tough for many right now. Parents find themselves pulled in many different directions and children may be struggling being in the house for so much longer than usual. A mixture of concern about covid, work from home and children at home, along with a possible financial impact make for a stressful household.
Young Minds have created a useful 'Supporting Parents Helpfinder'. By answering six questions, you can find out how to support their child's mental health
Click on the link to find the help finder: https://youngminds.org.uk/supporting-parents-helpfinder/
Please see the documents below for ideas on how to speak to your child about their mental health
Ideas on how you could support your child if they suffer with anxieties.
Kooth - online counselling and emotional well-being service. Click on the link to find out more.
The positive mental health of our pupils is a key priority for all of our staff, whatever their role within the school. Our staff team comprises of three sub-teams which focus on developing Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies and Healthy Spirits within our whole school community.
We also have key members of staff who you should approach should you have concerns about your child's mental health:
Mrs Romans - Inclusion Manager/Mental Health Lead
Mrs Smith- Mental Health Lead
Mrs Potter - Learning Mentor
There are many organisations that can help if you are concerned about your child's mental health: