Ways to tackle mental health in the school
Ways to tackle mental health in the school
World Mental Health Day is on 10 October every year. This year the theme is 'Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority'. World Mental Health Day is a great chance to talk about mental health in your school. How we need to look after it, and how important it is to talk about things and get help if you, your staff or pupils are struggling.
As an SBM, we know your days can be quite busy. You want the best for your school, so, making time to ensure your mental health is in shape is important for yourself as well as your school.
Here are ways you can tackle mental health in the school:
Normalise talking about mental health
Find opportunities to talk about mental health in your school. Ask the teachers to discuss it in lessons, find opportunities in books they study as a class, or as part of lessons. It’s also a great idea to celebrate awareness days and weeks.
Look out for the following mental health awareness days/weeks and months that occur each year.
|
Mental health awareness days/weeks/months UK |
When does it occur? |
|
World Suicide Prevention Day |
Mid-September |
|
World Mental Health Day |
Mid-October |
|
National Stress Awareness Day |
Beginning of November |
|
Anti-bullying week |
Mid to late November |
|
Children’s Mental Health Week |
Beginning of February |
|
Time to Talk Day |
Early to mid-February |
|
Stress Awareness Month |
April |
|
Mental Health Awareness Week |
Mid-May |
Why not use our wall planner to make sure you’re organised?
Celebrate World Mental Health Day
Why not take a break from the usual timetable for a day and help the mental health of your entire school? Evidence shows that people who help others through activities such as volunteering or community work, often become more resilient. The NHS recommends 5 steps to mental wellbeing and here’s how you could try them in your school:
- Connect school pupils and staff by providing them with activities they carry out with children from other classes and other year groups.
- Get the entire school to be physically active by holding various sessions throughout the day that can help them physically as well as mentally.
- Help the school to learn new skills by finding out what hobbies teachers have, and use that as a starting point for a schedule of activities throughout the year.
- Encourage students to give to others by holding bake sales or another activity to raise money for a charity of their choice.
- Help children, teachers and yourself to focus on the present moment by teaching them mindfulness.
Not all of these tips can and have to be done in one day, pace yourself and the school to keep mental health prominent throughout the school year.
Let others know you’re there to listen
It never hurts to remind the children in your school that the door is always open for them to share their anxieties and worries with you. This also counts for the staff in the school too. Talking with other people gives you an opportunity to share positive experiences and provide emotional support and allow you to support others.
Arrange a time to talk with the children in your school or, why not have lunch with a colleague?
Don’t forget about yourself
Take time out for yourself. Eating the right food, getting enough sleep and lowering stress are things we can all do to help our mental health. Read our blog on Tips for managing your mental health to find out more. Don't rely on unhealthy habits as your ways of coping.
Talking to someone you trust or writing things down can be a great relief. It can take a lot of courage to tell someone else about how we’re really feeling, but it can change the way you feel about a certain situation.
A good support network in schools can help ease your daily troubles and help you see things in a different way. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, know that you are not alone, and there are places you can go to get help.
