Wellbeing

What is mental health? 

“The emotional and spiritual resilience which allows us to enjoy life and survive pain, disappointment and sadness. It is a positive sense of wellbeing and an underlying belief in our own or others’ dignity and worth.”

                                                                                                                                                                  World Health Organisation

What do we do to promote mental health and wellbeing?

Every child benefits from whole class ‘Wellbeing’ sessions and for this, we use a mix of approaches including yoga, meditation, mindfulness, healthy living, therapeutic stories, problem solving and exploring feelings and emotions.

At the core of each of these approaches is the importance of giving children an emotional vocabulary, the time and space to listen and reflect on how they feel and a set of tools to help them move to a more positive set of feelings when sadness, frustration, anger, loneliness, grief are experienced.

We also offer the following support in school:

• A Designated Mental Health Lead to promote and support mental health across the school. (Mrs Thornthwaite)
•  'Time to Talk' sessions with a qualified counsellor every Wednesday. (Mrs Johnston)
•  A Youth Mental Health First Aider - a person to offer help to a young person experiencing a mental health issue including recognising the symptoms of MH issues, provide initial support and help the young person and family to access appropriate professional help. (Mrs Thornthwaite)
•  All staff trained in understanding mental health in children.
• Early Help plans to support children and family experiencing difficulties with the support of professionals.
• Regular circle time, friendship groups and snack and chat.
• A range of activities to promote health and wellbeing including The Education Life Bus, NSPCC Workshops and Assemblies, health and sport activities.

If you would like any further information on mental health and wellbeing at St Gregory's please contact Mrs Thornthwaite on 01900 606050.

Sources of support:

Mental Health Crisis Team - 0300 500 0927

CALM Helpline - 0800 585 858

Young Minds Parents Helpline - 0808 802 5544

Hopeline UK - 0800 068 4141