HEADLINES

By James Saunders

Mental Health Awareness Week

Next week is Mental Health Awareness Week

A week that highlights the importance of taking care of our minds. Prevention is at the heart of taking care of our mental health. Addressing the sources of mental health problems so that people and communities can thrive is always the best approach to take rather than a reactive one, which can sometimes be too late. This year’s theme is anxiety.

Anxiety is a normal emotion in us all, and is not necessarily always a sign of mental health issues. However, sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem. Lots of things can lead to feelings of anxiety, including exam pressures, relationships, starting a new job (or losing one) or other big life events. We can also get anxious when it comes to things to do with money and not being able to meet our basic needs, like heating our home or buying food.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems we can face. In a recent mental health survey carried out around stress, anxiety and hopelessness over personal finances, a quarter of adults said they felt so anxious that it stopped them from doing the things they want to do some or all of the time. Six in ten adults feel this way, at least some of the time. On a positive note, anxiety can be made easier to manage.

By focusing on anxiety for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week it is hoped that there will be an increase in people’s awareness and understanding of anxiety by providing information on the things that can help prevent it from becoming a problem.

As parents and carers, there are ways you can support your children to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy. Encouraging and guiding a child to think about their own mental health and wellbeing are vital skills you can teach them from a young age.

Ways To Support A Child Or Young Person

Be there to listen

Regularly ask your child how they’re doing, to help them get used to talking about their feelings, and know there’s always someone there to listen. You can get tips on Young Minds: How to talk to your child about mental health.

Support them through difficulties

Pay attention to how your child is feeling or behaving and try to help them work through difficulties. It may not be easy facing challenging behaviour, but try to help them understand what they’re feeling and why. Learn more from the Maudsley Charity on difficult behaviour.

Stay involved in their life

Show interest in their life and what’s important to them. It not only helps them value who they are but also makes it easier for you to spot problems and support them.

Encourage their interests

Support and encourage your child to explore their interests. Being active or creative, learning new things and being a part of a team helps connect us and boost our mental wellbeing.

Take what they say seriously

Listening to and valuing what they say makes them feel valued. Consider how to help them work through their emotions in constructive ways. Anna Freud Centre’s guide on ways to support children and young people has more on this.

Build positive routines

Try to have structure around regular routines, especially around healthy eating and exercise. A good night’s sleep is also important, so have a fixed time for going to bed and getting up. The Sleep Charity has relaxation sleep tips for children.

Have a good weekend.

James Saunders

Six Ways to Cope With Feelings of Anxiety

SLOW DOWN YOUR BREATHING GO OUTSIDE

GO TO BED AT THE SAME TIME EVERDAY

CONNECT WITH OTHERS

Feeling anxious?

You’re not alone.

GET ACTIVE

USE THE FREE CLEAR FEAR APP

How can I get support from the Mental Health Support Team?

Talk to the designated mental health lead in your school

Former learner update:

We are incredible proud of our former learner George Burmby (who left us in July 2020) who took part in the King’s Coronation last weekend with the Grenadier Guards, as a commonwealth standard bearer. He is currently in training for the trooping of the colour in June. Well done George!

A huge congratulations

Jonathan Hardington who, following Essex elections had been appointed to the Young Essex Assembly (YEA). This is a wonderful achievement. The results were announced a couple of weeks ago and he is thrilled to be elected to represent Chelmsford. Last week he chaired his first full YEA sitting and will soon join one of the committees as part of his role. He intends to use his term to help schools be more inclusive of disabilities. Being part of the YEA he will gain important life skills and have an opportunity to bring change in the wider community. Well done!

Earlier this year we welcomed ten children from Afghanistan to our school community. On Tuesday, they went on a trip to London to see our capital city and visit the Natural History Museum. They had a fantastic day and the weather held for their time there. Experiencing travel by train, the London underground and the sites of London are all new experiences for them. Thank you to Mr Smith and Mrs Bansropun for supporting their day in London.