Well being
The emotional well being of all of our children has never been so important. Please let your child's class teacher know or contact someone in school if you need help during this difficult time.
How a child or young person reacts to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak may depend on their age, past experiences or understanding of what's happening.
Some may worry about their health, their loved ones or have physical symptoms like stomach ache. Others may behave differently, getting more angry, distant or acting up in other ways.
Some children might react right away and some may show signs of difficulty later on. Other children might be coping fine, and some younger children may be enjoying more time with the family.
If you are a parent or carer, it's important you know how to look after the mental health of those you care for during this time. Over on the right hand side of this page, you will find some helpful advice & tips which may help you if someone in your family is struggling.
You can also find lots of help by clicking on the link below
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/looking-after-children-and-young-people-during-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/
Children's mental health & well being is of course a focus for us in school too. Following the first lockdown we implemented a 12 week programme of support for children called STEPPING BACK INTO SCHOOL.
Each year we cover a range of issues during Children's Mental Health Week. This year the focus is ExpressYourself. Activities are planned for both children in schoool & remote learners during the week beginning 1st February 2021.
Further support (from the NHS website)
If you're worried about how your child is coping, there's plenty of advice, help and support out there.
Rise Above helps 11 to 16-year-olds build emotional resilience by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to deal with the pressures they may face.
Parents Helpline Enquiries, from Young Minds, offers advice about mental health in children and young people up to the age of 25. You can call the helpline on 0808 802 5544.
Childline offers a confidential telephone counselling service, so your child can speak to someone anonymously. They can:
- call 0800 1111 any time, free of charge
- have an online chat with a counsellor
- check out the Childline message boards
Shout provides free, confidential support with trained crisis volunteers via text for anyone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK, or visit Crisis Text Line for more information.
Parents
Get your own Every Mind Matters mental health action plan today.
There are things we can all do to look after our mental wellbeing. Every Mind Matters can get you started with a free NHS online plan, showing you simple steps to help manage anxiety, sleep better and boost your mood.
The latest Better Health Every Mind Matters campaign will kick-off on 18th Jan 2021 and the key message will be to encourage the use of the Mind Plan.