Mental Health Awareness Week

“There is no health without mental health.” As a school, we are keen to promote a positive and healthy attitude to mental health. Mental health – the way we think or feel about ourselves and what is going on around us, and life – affects our sense of wellbeing as well as our physical health.

At Cundall, we have a strong pastoral system that supports all of our pupils. We have a progressive attitude towards open conversations with pupils, parents and the wider community about a range of issues that may affect the wellbeing of anyone of our community. As such, opportunities like ‘Mental Health Awareness Week’ help us broach the subject of mental health and promote a healthy attitude towards the mental wellbeing of every member of the Cundall family.

We are proud to be able to have a Wellbeing Support Teacher within the school who is a qualified and experienced counsellor. This service is a great opportunity for discussing issues and helping to address any concerns, doubts or worries in a supportive manner and environment.

Good mental health is vital for learning and life. A 2008 WHO report argued that mental health conditions account for almost one quarter of ill health in the UK, more than either cancer or heart disease. With effective promotion, early intervention and education about prevention, the impact can be reduced dramatically.

Children who are mentally healthy tend to be better equipped to meet life’s challenges, learn better and get on better with others.

Good mental health in childhood provides a grounding for positive mental health and wellbeing, now and into the future. Understanding what it means to have good mental health does not mean never having worries or feelings of distress. The feeling of being worried, sad, frustrated or angry are all normal emotions and learning how to manage them are all part of having good mental health. Mentally healthy children are able to use positive coping skills to manage feelings and deal with difficulties.

At Cundall Manor:

·         We take mental health and wellbeing very seriously.

·         We have a Wellbeing Support Teacher available to pupils who is a qualified and experienced counsellor.

·         We aim to join the current movement that encourages young people to take their mental health seriously. This means that we encourage our pupils to take their mental health as seriously as they would take their physical welfare.

·         We like to encourage pupils to feel as comfortable as possible when talking about their mental health.

·         We recognise that many pupils would prefer a discreet approach and ours is a confidential (within the limits of safeguarding) service for pupils.

·         Appointments are as discreet as we can manage.

If you would like to contact our wellbeing support teacher you can email her on dianeriddell@cundallmanor.org.uk

Visit the mental health awareness week website at www.mentalhealth.org.uk to find out more about the initiative and the mental health foundation.