Mental Health and Wellbeing
At Blaise Primary and Nursery School, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of everyone in our school community: pupils, parents/carers and staff. We recognise that everyone may experience challenges in life which can make us vulnerable and require support systems to be in place. Mental health is everyone's business and we all have a role to play in achieving positive mental and physical wellbeing for all.
We will:
- teach children to understand their emotions and feelings through Zones of Regulation
- ensure children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries, with all classes having a worry monster or worry box available
- help children form and maintain positive relationships with peers and adults
- promote self-esteem and ensure children know that they know their self worth
- encourage children to be confident in who they are, 'daring to be different’, through our No Outsiders curriculum
- give opportunities to children to take risks, set goals and be persistent when faced with challenges
- support children with developing emotional resilience and managing setbacks, fostering a ‘Growth Mindset’
- provide consistency, structure, safety and care to all children as part of the Blaise team
Useful resources
Leaflet for Pupils Explaining Mental Health
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
Click the link below for advice for parents/carers to support chidren who have concerns about going to school.
https://www.supportservicesforeducation.co.uk/Page/19956
Please contact the school office if you would like to contact the school further about your concerns in this area.
Mindline Helpline - 0808 808 0330
Mindline Helpline is a confidential freephone helpline currently open Wednesday to Sunday from 7pm to 11pm providing a safe place to talk if you, or someone you know, is in distress. They can also give information about mental health support services available in your area that could help you. You can talk things through with one of their trained volunteer listeners or they can just listen. You don’t have to tell them your name. Calls can last up to 30 minutes per evening. This allows the volunteers to really listen carefully to what you have to say. It also allows them to support as many people as possible.
Childline Helpline - 0800 1111
When you call them, you’ll get through to a counsellor, they’re there to listen and support you with anything you’d like to talk about, or you can have a 1-2-1 counsellor chat online: https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/
Useful websites to support
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/ - expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing
https://engagement4learning.com/ - teaching and learning strategies for children with learning difficulties and disabilities
https://www.childline.org.uk/ - a free, private and confidential service where anyone can talk about anything online, on the phone, anytime.
https://www.headspace.com/ - meditation made simple, teaching you life-changing mindfulness skills in just a few minutes a day.
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/ - supporting families through domestic abuse, mental health problems, prison sentences, asylum seeking and more.
https://charliewaller.org/ - practical tools and treatments to support parents/carers including wellbeing, education and strategies.
https://youngminds.org.uk/ - tools for young people to look after their mental health and empowering adults to be the best support they can be.
Bereavement
Winston’s Wish is a charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults (up to the age of 25) find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down by grief.
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/services/child-bereavement-service-general
Adviceline support to parents/carers of children and young people up to the age of 18 years who have been bereaved
Meditation
Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present in the moment. It can have numerous benefits, everything from decreased stress and sadness to increased levels focus and happiness, according to general mindfulness research. Mindfulness meditation practice is one way to truly experience the current moment and integrate that awareness into your everyday life.
Headspace and Calm are both offering free mindfulness exercises during this time.
Self-esteem and Mental wellbeing
The British Psychological Society - A Variety of Blogs
How to NOT go to school - A free, downloadable book about children's emotions and wellbeing
Beacon House have published the document below with some activities to support mental health at this time.
