Mental Health and Wellbeing
At Clowne Junior School we want to provide an effective and enjoyable teaching and learning environment, where children and young people flourish. We aim to promote the mental and physical health and emotional wellbeing for our staff, parents and pupils. Wellbeing is at the forefront of the school’s curriculum and promoting good mental health is a priority.
The World Health Organisation’s definition of mental health and wellbeing is:
“ A state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community”.
SMILERS
Smilers is used as a whole school approach to talking about mental health. It is how we promote positive mental health across school. Smilers stands for:
For more information about SMILERS, follow the link to the Derbyshire County Council SMILERS website.
National Smile Month
National Smile Month is a charity campaign all about championing the benefits of having good oral health and promoting the value of a healthy smile. Between 13 May and 13 June 2024.
Follow the link below for more information.
Wellbeing Ambassadors
Our Wellbeing Ambassadors are made up of a team of dedicated pupils all wanting to raise awareness of Mental Health and reduce the stigma attached to this subject.
Follow the link below to find out more about this fantastic team and all about the exciting projects they are involved with.
Below is a list of websites and apps that you can access to help support you and your family’s emotional well-being:
Guidance and support from CAHMS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service) who support children's mental health and Wellbeing:
https://www.camhsnorthderbyshire.nhs.uk/
Guidance on calming activities:
https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/
Advice on supporting children with their Mental Health, including Coronavirus help.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/childrens-mental-health/
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/
Qwell offers online counselling and wellbeing for adults:
Kooth offers free, safe and anonymous online support for young people:
Resources
Lucy’s blue day – This is a great story about talking about children’s different emotions and getting children to understand that is OK to feel these different emotions. This video, this story and this amazing little girl helps children express their emotions in a way they never knew they could. The message of the video is that’s its "OK, sometimes, to have a blue day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ohU6gWdmyI
The link below is for a short clip about the importance of talking about Mental Health
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCrjevx3-Js&feature=youtu.be
Mindfulness colouring
Mindfulness colouring is an activity which allows your child to focus on the present and forget about the past and future. Mindfulness can improve your child’s overall sense of well-being. They can feel more relaxed by paying attention to the present moment. It can also help them to train their minds to focus which can help in lessons and at school. It can also have other benefits such as:
· Help lift your mood, decrease anxiety and stress.
· Encourage forming positive, relaxation-based coping mechanisms to help manage anxious thoughts and feelings.
· Distract from negative thoughts and interrupt a focus on worries about past or future events.
https://www.teachingideas.co.uk/2d-art/mindfulness-colouring-images-animals
Children's Mental Health Week 2024
The theme for this weeks Children's Mental Health Week is:
MY VOICE MATTERS
Evidence shows that empowering children and young people can have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing. For example, children and young people who feel that their voices are heard - and that what they say makes a difference - have higher levels of self-efficacy and self-esteem.
For Children’s Mental Health Week 2024, Place2Be wants all children and young people, whoever they are, and wherever they are in the world, to be able to say – and believe - “My Voice Matters”. Watch the video below – featuring the voices of children and young people – to learn more about the theme.
We have lots of activities happening during the week to help promote the theme My Voice Matters:
- The Well-Being Ambassadors have helped to take an assembly to introduce this years theme.
- During the week, in each year group a Talking Booth has been set up to give children the opportunity to have their voice heard on things that are important to them.
- PSHE lessons will consist of activities to help promote this years theme.
- On Thursday, there is a Talent Show at lunchtime to help children to have their voice heard.
- Dress to Express Day is on Thursday too.
- In the Year 3 area, there are two suggestion boxes to give children a chance to share their ideas and have their voice heard about ideas for Dojo Dollar Day and ideas healthy tuckshop.
Suggestion boxes for children to have their voice heard
TOP TIPS FOR FAMILIES
Below you will find a link to help with talking to your children about mental health.