St. Mary's C.E. Primary School, Washington

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through to adulthood.

Why is it important?

Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially and learn new skills. Additionally, good friends and encouraging words from adults are all important for helping children develop self confidence, high self-esteem, and a healthy emotional outlook on life.

Supporting your child with their mental health.

For tips, advice and where to get support for your child's mental health here are some useful websites:

https://www.annafreud.org/mental-health-professionals/our-help-for-children-and-families/

https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone

https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/

http://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

https://www.place2be.org.uk/our-services/parents-and-carers/

http://www.winstonswish.org

http://youngminds.org.uk

http://www.sussexcamhs.nhs.uk/resources-recipes4wellbeing

If you would like to discuss any worries you may have about your child regarding their mental health and wellbeing please contact your child's class teacher in the first instance, who can then work with you and your child alongside our Inclusion Leader and Learning Mentor.

To support our children in understanding and talking about Mental Health, this year we held a Mental Health week in school, which helped the children to explore vocabulary relating to feelings, learn how to weave as a calming activity/technique and went on a whole school walk in the South Downs to support them in understanding the benfits of physical exercise and the benefit of making use of what's  on our doorstep.