Looking After Our Mental Health
'Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development.' (World Health Orgnaisation 2022)
At Launde Primary School we are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our children, staff and parents, to ensure that the school is a community where everyone feels able to thrive.
We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.
At Launde Primary School we promote a mentally healthy environment through:
- Promoting our school values and encouraging a sense of belonging
- Promoting pupil voice and opportunities to participate in decision-making
- Celebrating academic and non-academic achievements in order to promote self-esteem
- Providing opportunities to develop a sense of worth through taking responsibility for themselves and others
- Providing opportunities to reflect
- Access to appropriate support that meets their needs
- Helping children to understand their emotions and feelings better and to feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
- Helping children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks
We offer a graduated approach to support all children:
Whole school approach - what we currently offer all our children and staff to support mental health and wellbeing
- We have a designated Senior Mental Health Lead in school, who is responsibile for promoting wellbeing for our staff and children (Mrs Meer)
- We have 5 designated and trained MHFA's (Mental Health First Aiders) who can deliver targetted support to any children who may need it.
- We have a 'Well Being Team' led by Mrs Merz, who regularly keeps on top of latest research and provides information for children, staff and parents through newsletters, emails, Twitter etc.
- Through regular assemblies children are reminded about safe adults and strategies children can use to support themselves and other around them.
- We have nominated school council members in each class to represent their peers and gain feedback in class assemblies.
- We hold extra half-termly meetings with parents/carers for pupils who need more regular meetings to support their needs.
- We have email addresses for all teaching staff, so parents can email any concerns or worries.
- We have an allocated buddy for all new pupils.
- We have positive behaviour systems in place to promote positive social behaviour.
- We have home/school communication books for children who require more regular updates.
- All teachers / staff develop an open environment where mental health is discussed on a regular basis.
- Through our PSHE curriculum, mental health and wellbeing is taught at an age appropriate level and encourages children to understand their own and other emotions and to develop a selection of healthy coping strategies.
- All classrooms have an emotional self registration board in their classroom, that gives each child an opportunity to anonymously place their picture card on how they are feeling that morning, where an adult will check in if necessary to discuss any concerns.
- Each classroom has a Worry Monster (Foundation & KS1) or a Worry Box (KS2) to post their worries in for teachers / staff to check on a daily basis.
- We encourage staff to look after their own wellbeing and regularly offer advise on promoting a good work-life balance.
- We include World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Week in the school calendar and plan activities for the whole school.
- Mental health and Wellbeing Newsletter each half-term to parents - please see below
Targetted support
If children require further support in regard to their mental health and wellbeing we offer 2 levels of support, which will be discussed with the class teacher and parents, along with the Senior Mental Health Lead (Mrs Meer).
- Intervention groups with 3 different focus areas (depending on child's need):
•Recognising emotions and how to deal with your own emotions
•Improving confidence and self-esteem
•How to deal with social situations and social friendships
- 1:1 support from Mental Health First Aider:
This involves a more individual targetted support, once a week, for as long as the support is needed. Launde's Mental Health First Aiders are:
- Mrs Merz
- Mrs Panacar
- Mrs Tufiq
- Miss Ma
- Miss Cox
Staff members to contact if you are concerned about your child’s mental health:
- Your Child's class teacher
- Mrs Meer (Senior Mental Health Lead)
- Mrs Melody (SENDCo)
Here are some useful websites and leaflets to support your own and your chid's mental health at home
Parents:
Leicestershire Mental Health Support: https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health/mental-health/mental-health-information-advice-and-support
NHS Mental Health Services: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
Anna Freud Mental Health advise for Parents / Carers: https://www.annafreud.org/parents-and-carers/
Young Minds advise for Parents / Carers: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/
How to support your child at home: https://www.place2be.org.uk/our-services/parents-and-carers/supporting-your-child-s-mental-health/
NSPCC Parent advice on Mental Health: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/mental-health-parenting/
NSPCC advice for children: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/childrens-mental-health/
CAMHS Advice, with excellent links to more targetted support: https://www.camhs-resources.co.uk/websites
Children:
Children's advice on how to cope in certain situations: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/
Kooth: An online Mental Health Community for Children and Young People: https://www.kooth.com/