Mental Health and Wellbeing

This week, we talked to the children about mental health and wellbeing:

• what is it?
• what we can do to promote a positive mental health and wellbeing?

What do we mean by mental health?

Everyone has mental health.

Our mental health refers to the way we think, feel, and behave, and how we cope with life’s ups and downs.

Just like we need to take care of our bodies so that we don’t become unwell, we also need to take care of our feelings.

Everyone feels upset or worried sometimes – that’s normal and doesn’t mean you have a problem with your mental health.

When someone is feeling worried or sad often and finds it hard to cope with their feelings, thoughts or behaviour, this might mean they are experiencing mental health difficulties.

The children gave us some really good examples of this:

• Feeling really worried all the time, even when nothing scary is happening

• Feeling very sad and not knowing why

• Getting angry quickly or having trouble calming down

• Not wanting to play or talk to anyone

• Finding it hard to sleep, eat, or concentrate

What to do if you are worried?

We reminded the children to talk to one of their 5 safe adults if they feel worried.

Talking about how you are feeling, helps you to understand how you are feeling and will help you to feel better.

Our safe adults have some really good strategies to help our manage feelings:

The 5 Ways of Wellbeing and activities:

The children gave some suggestions of activities for each way of wellbeing:

• Connect – Spend time with family, friends, and teachers.

Talk, listen, and share – “Playing with friends and talking to someone you trust helps you feel loved and safe.

• Be Active – Move your body—run, dance, play, or go for a walk.

“Exercise helps your body and your brain feel better.”

• Take Notice – Look around and notice the little things—like the weather, nature, or how you feel.

“Stopping to notice things helps you feel calm and happy.”

• Keep Learning – Try something new—read a book, learn a game, or ask questions.

“Learning new things helps your brain grow and makes you feel proud.”

• Give – Be kind—help someone, share, or say something nice.

“Doing kind things makes you and others feel good”.