Mental Health and Well-being at Dallam Primary School
At our school we aim to;
- help children to understand, name and talk about their emotions and feelings
- help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
- help children socially to form and maintain relationships
- promote self-esteem and ensure children know that they count
- encourage children to be confident and ‘dare to be different’
- help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks.
At Dallam Primary School, we believe in promoting positive mental health and emotional well-being to ensure that the school is a community where everyone feels able to thrive. We are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils, staff and parents
Our school ethos and values underpin everything that we do.
Our Values are:
- respect
- resiliance
- honesty
- inclusivity
- kindness
- ambition
What is mental health?
The World Health Organisation defines mental health as a state of wellbeing in which every individual achieves their potential, copes with the normal stresses of life, works productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act.
Good mental health and wellbeing is just as important as good physical health. Like physical health, mental health can range across a spectrum from healthy to unwell; it can fluctuate on a daily basis and change over time.
Who has mental health?
We all have mental health – some people call this emotional health or wellbeing.
We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.
There are some common life events that may affect you or your child's Mental Wellbeing:
- Loss or bereavement.
- Loneliness.
- Relationship problems.
- Issues at school.
- Worries about money.
What helps
Things that can help keep children and young people mentally well include:
- being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise
- having time and the freedom to play, indoors and outdoors
- being part of a family that gets along well most of the time
- going to a school that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils
- taking part in local activities for young people.
Other factors are also important, including:
- feeling loved, trusted, understood, valued and safe
- being interested in life and having opportunities to enjoy themselves
- being hopeful and optimistic
- being able to learn and having opportunities to succeed
- accepting who they are and recognising what they are good at
- having a sense of belonging in their family, school and community
- feeling they have some control over their own life
- having the strength to cope when something is wrong (resilience) and the ability to solve problems.
What if my child is experiencing difficulties with their mental health and wellbeing?
In many instances, children and young people’s negative feelings and worries usually pass with the support of their parents and families. It is helpful for the school to know what they are going through at these times, so that staff can be aware of the need and support this.
If you are ever worried about your child’s mental health and wellbeing then, just as you would about any concerns that you have about their learning, come and talk to us. Sometimes children will need additional support for a short period – this may be in the form of a daily check-in with a trusted adult, time to talk through what they are feeling and support in developing ways of moving forwards with this.
What happens in school?
In school, we teach children about what it means to have good mental health and wellbeing throughout our curriculum and daily practice. In classes we have lots of strategies to support children such as worry bags, circle times, forest school, assemblies, talk times and our School Council which allows children to have a voice about what happens in school.
Our PSHE curriculum – JIGSAW focuses specifically on developing children’s social and emotional skills which can prevent poor mental health from developing and help all children cope effectively with setbacks and remain healthy
Our Mental Health and Well-being team
In school we have a team of people who support children and their families.
We offer different levels of support:
Support for everyone – To meet the needs of all our pupils through our overall ethos and our wider curriculum.
Additional support – For those who may have short-term needs and those who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences such as bereavement.
Targeted support – For pupils who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions such as wellbeing groups, Talktime or personal mentors.
Outside agency support -such as Play Therapy, Mental Health Support Team or CAMHS
Parents
If things are getting you down, it’s important to recognise this. Talk to someone you trust and see what they think. It is easy to go on struggling with very difficult situations because you feel that you should be able to cope and don’t deserve any help.
Come and talk to us, in confidence and let us know when things are tough and we will do our best to support and signpost you to the relevant services that can support you.
There is a weekly Coffee morning held at the children’s Centre where you can meet other parents for a chat and you will be able to access a range of agencies for support and advice. Speak to Rachael Wilson if you are interested.
Staff
Dallam Primary school are committed to supporting the mental health and well-being for staff. We have a close knit team who are supportive and caring. We have many initiatives in place to support staff well-being including;
- PPA cover
- Well-being sessions
- Access to a counselling and supervision sessions
- Training
- Well-being surveys.
- Monitoring of work life balance.
- Yoga / fitness sessions
- Social events
Please look in the policies section to see our Mental Health and Well-being policies and pathways.
Useful links
Bereavement support
- Winston’s Wish - is the leading childhood bereavement charity in the UK offering practical support and guidance to bereaved children, their families and professionals. https://www.winstonswish.org/
- Child bereavement UK - Supports families when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement https://www.childbereavementuk.org/
Dealing with anxiety - https://tutorful.co.uk/guides/the-expert-guide-to-help-your-child-with-anxiety
Every Mind Matters - https://coronavirusresources.phe.gov.uk/now-more-than-ever-every-mind-matters/
Young minds parents’ survival guide - https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-survival-guide/
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families - https://www.annafreud.org/parents/
https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help/confidential-helpline/
https://youngminds.org.uk/resources/school-resources/find-your-feet-transition-tips-for-parents/
https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/if-a-child-tells-you-about-abuse.htm
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/
http://www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk/family-and-friends/parents
https://www.autismhelp.info/primary-years
https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/