Mental Health
Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realises their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community. (World Health Organisation).
At Church of the Ascension Primary School, we aim to promote positive mental health for all of our school community. We pursue this aim using both universal, whole school approaches and specialised, targeted approaches aimed at students, staff and families.
Our Senior Mental Health Lead is Mrs Moore, and both Mrs Walley and Mrs Moore are mental health first aid trained for adults and children. As a school, we are supported by Reflexions, which is a mental health support service that helps increase access to mental health support for children and young people across the Black Country. They offer 1:1 low/high intensity CBT and support us as a school with staff training, a whole school approach working with year groups and small groups. They help children who may need support with low mood, exam stress, problems with sleep, low self-esteem and anxiety.
Amy Turner is our Educational Health Practitioner and is in school every week. She is also here regularly at parents’ evenings. Should you feel that your child would benefit from this kind of support, please contact your child’s class teacher.
As part of our ongoing commitment to support all families in our community, half termly ‘Tea and Talk’ sessions with a wellbeing focus have been planned. Please see the details of these below.
Reflexions Tea and Talk Sessions
Wellbeing Buddies
Wellbeing Buddies are a group of children, who want to support our wellbeing strategy here at Church of the Ascension. They range in age from Year 1 to Year 6 and their role is to support the wellbeing of our children in school and into the local community where possible. The children choose a wellbeing focus for each half term from the fives ways to wellbeing:
• Connecting with others
• Giving
• Take notice
• Keep Learning
• Be active
In their regular meetings, they plan and lead a half-termly assembly introducing the focus and initiatives to encourage these five ways to wellbeing.
Good Health Week
An integral part of our wellbeing strategy at Church of Ascension is that we can all support and contribute to our own wellbeing and that of others to enable us all to flourish.
In February, we host our annual Good Health Week. Throughout the school, the whole week is dedicated to our physical and mental health and wellbeing and personal safety. We have a host of visitors into school to help us to promote our health and wellbeing including the school nurse, firefighters, RNLI, E-safety experts and much more.
Should you be aware of anyone who could continue to make this week a highlight of the school year, please get in touch.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Support for Families
Happier Minds https://happierminds.org.uk/
A mental wellbeing website for young people, parents/carers and school based staff in Dudley.
This May Help https://thismayhelp.me/
This May Help has been created to support parents and carers with concerns about their child’s mental health. The subjects covered on this website have been chosen by families and young people who have gone through their own mental health challenges. What helped them may also help you. The films offer advice across six main subject areas, with ten additional films offering supporting information. The films can be viewed in any order at any time.
Young Minds https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Young minds is a leading mental health charity which offers children anything from a reassuring conversation to specialist mental health support. There is also a parent helpline.
Every Mind Matters https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
A site from the NHS with expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
NSPCC https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
The NSPCC are offering support and advice if you feel your child is struggling with their mental health and anxiety following to Covid-19 pandemic. More information and advice can be found on their website.
Shout https://giveusashout.org/
If you are struggling to cope and need to talk, our trained Shout Volunteers are here for you, day or night. Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service. You can text from wherever you are in the UK. The website also has a wealth of resources.
Action for Happiness https://actionforhappiness.org/
Action for Happiness is a movement of people committed to building a happier and more caring society. Their aim is to see a fundamentally different way of life – where people care less about what they can get just for themselves and more about the happiness of others.