Children's Mental Health Week - 'Let's Connect'

This year, for Children's Mental Health Week 2023, the theme is 'Let's Connect'. This theme is all about the importance of connection and how it can help improve our mental health.

The theme recognises the importance of connection with ourselves, with our families and friends, with our communities and with nature. As we face the challenges of the pandemic and all its associated stresses, it is more important than ever that we all take the time to connect.

Connection with ourselves is about taking time to reflect and take stock of how we are feeling. This could involve taking a few moments during the day to pause and check in with our own thoughts and feelings. It could involve practising mindful activities such as yoga or meditation. It could also involve taking time to do things that we enjoy, like reading a book or going for a walk.

Connection with our families and friends is about taking the time to talk and listen to one another. It could involve having regular catch-ups with a friend or loved one – either in person or remotely. It could also involve sending a text, making a call or writing a letter. We might also take the time to have a meaningful conversation with someone in our family.

Connection with our communities could involve getting involved in local activities or volunteering. It could also involve taking part in online events or attending virtual meet-ups. This could be an opportunity to get to know people with similar interests or to find out more about our local area. It could also be a chance to learn new skills or to share our own.

Finally, connection with nature is about taking the time to appreciate and enjoy the world around us. This could involve going for a walk in a local park or exploring a nearby nature reserve. It could involve participating in activities such as bird-watching or star-gazing. It could also involve simply taking a moment to notice the beauty of the natural world around us.

This Children's Mental Health Week, let’s all make a conscious effort to connect with ourselves, with our families and friends, with our communities and with nature. By taking the time to nurture these connections, we can help to improve our mental health and well-being.

As you are also aware, we are very lucky to be able to work closely with the MHST (Mental Health Support Team) in school, who are able to offer a range of support for our young people should they find they are struggling and need additional support. The services they provide range from 1:1 support for young people and 1:1 support for parents and carers to the 'Raising Yorkshire Puddings' monthly sessions that you may have seen advertised on previous school comms.  As part of our ongoing review of this provision, we're really pleased to be able to offer a session for parents and carers on Understanding the Teenage Brain on Thursday 2nd March from 6-7 pm. If you would like to attend this event, please respond to this email and we will add your name to the list.

 

In addition to this, the MHST will be delivering a whole school assembly on 20th February inviting all of our students to make an application to be a Student Wellbeing Champion. Students with successful applications will receive 3 afternoons of training and the title of Wellbeing Champion so that they are able to support their peers. Form tutors will share further information about the application process following the assembly.

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