Mental Health & Wellbeing
We recognise mental health and emotional wellbeing is as important to our lives as physical health
At Albion Primary School, we aim to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for our whole school community and recognise mental health and emotional wellbeing is as important to our lives as physical health. We recognise that children’s mental health is an important factor in their overall wellbeing and can affect their learning and achievements at school. During school years, children are faced with different emotional challenges, distress or traumas. Also, continuous access to media and societies heightened pressures are having a negative impact on young people’s self-esteem.
The Department for Education (DfE) recognises that: “in order to help their children succeed; schools have a role to play in supporting them to be resilient and mentally healthy”.
Over 50% of mental illnesses start before the age of 14 and 1 in 10 children and young people has a mental health disorder (Public Mental Health, 2014). Recent survey results found that 12.5% (one in eight) of 5 to 19 year olds, surveyed in England in 2017, had a mental disorder (NHS, 2017).
“Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community,” (World Health Organization, 2014).
Two key elements to support good mental health are:
- Feeling Good – experiencing positive emotions like happiness, contentment and enjoyment. Including feelings like curiosity, engagement and safety.
- Functioning Well – how a person is able to function in the world, this includes positive relationships and social connections, as well as feeling in control of your life and having a sense of purpose.
Mental Health & Wellbeing First Aiders
At Albion, we have 4 mental health and well-being first aiders act as a point of contact for children who may be experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. Their role could range from having an initial conversation, offering first aid support through non-judgemental listening, through to guiding children to access professional support. They also have the opportunity to take on a role as a mental health advocate encouraaging a ‘whole school’ approach to wellbeing.
Mental Health First Aiders (ID 1207)
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TeganLead Mental Health First Aider
Tegan
Tegan is also the Special Educational Needs & Disabilities co-ordinator (SENDCo)
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SuzetteMental Health First Aider
Suzette
Suzette is also the Family Support & Engagement Officer
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EllieMental Health First Aider
Ellie
Ellie is also the Personal, Social, Health & Economic (PSHE) and Relationships & Sex Education (RSE) Curriculum Leader
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RobMental Health First Aider
Rob
Rob is also the interim Physical Education (PE) Curriculum Leader
We want all children to:
- have a strong sense of self and their own identity
- be able to express a range of emotions appropriately and safely
- be able to make and maintain positive relationships with others
- manage times of difficulty and be able to deal with change
- learn and achieve their potential
- have an awareness of other pupils' feelings and how individuals' actions/behaviours can have an impact on the wellbeing of others
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. Children at Albion have two lessons of PE each week. A wide range of sport-related after school clubs are run by teachers and external coaches, whilst many of our pupils take part in inter-school sporting competitions which include an extensive range of sports and activities. Our proficient young leaders are excellent at organising activities and games during play times to encourage higher levels of physical activity and promote inclusion.
We include World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Week in the school calendar and plan activities for the whole school.
Mental Health & Well-being Policy
We have created our Mental Health & Well-being Policy to provide clear guidance to our school community on how we aim to educate, raise awareness and provide support on the importance of mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Mental Health & Well-being Policy
Place2Be
To assist witht mental health and wellbeing at Albion Primary School, we work with Place2Be, a national charity supporting schools to improve the confidence and wellbeing of children and young people.
Place2Be provides emotional and therapeutic support to children and young people, families and staff in more than 450 schools nationwide.
It gives children and young people a space to express themselves through talking and creative work, and to think about any worries they might have. Place2Be also provides support for parents and staff too.
Place2Talk
One of the most popular aspects of this service is called ‘Place2Talk’. It’s open to all children at Albion Primary School, and they can make an appointment to spend 15 minutes with a trained counsellor, either by themselves or with a friend. On average, about a third of children and young people who access the service in schools take advantage of this service every year. Children and young people often talk about friendships or any worries they may have.
To find out more about Place2Be, click here.
Useful Links
Dealing with anxiety - https://tutorful.co.uk/guides/the-expert-guide-to-help-your-child-with-anxiety
Every Mind Matters - https://coronavirusresources.phe.gov.uk/now-more-than-ever-every-mind-matters/
Young minds parents’ survival guide - https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-survival-guide/
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families - https://www.annafreud.org/parents/
https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help/confidential-helpline/
https://youngminds.org.uk/resources/school-resources/find-your-feet-transition-tips-for-parents/
https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/if-a-child-tells-you-about-abuse.htm
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/
http://www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk/family-and-friends/parents