Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which every individual achieves their potential, copes with the normal stresses of life, works productively and fruitfully, and can 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 daily and change over time.
What can help keep children mentally well?
Things that can help keep children mentally well include:
- eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise
- having time to play and enjoy themselves
- going to a school that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils
- feeling loved, trusted, understood, valued and safe
- being hopeful and optimistic
- accepting who they are and recognising what they are good at
- having a sense of belonging in their family, school and community
- having the strength to cope when something is wrong (resilience) and the ability to solve problems.
- being able to learn and having opportunities to succeed
An ELSA is a Learning Support Assistant in school who has had specific extra training in Emotional Literacy from an educational psychologist. ELSAs also receive on-going group supervision with an educational psychologist where common issues, anonymised cases and intervention plans are discussed.
ELSAs support the social, emotional and behavioral development of pupils. For example they help pupils who have difficulty with friendships, anxiety, shyness, bullying, anger, low confidence.
ELSAs work with class teachers to identify targets for pupils and design support sessions. They can work with individuals or small groups of pupils. Sessions usually happen weekly and last for 30-60 minutes. Sessions usually run for between 6-12 weeks.
Mrs Street is our trained ELSA in school
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For more support please read the information below
ChildLine
Call Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk/kids
Text SHOUT to 85258
For free, confidential support, 24/7
Action for Children / Changing Lives Service
Please click on the link or PDF below to find out more about the service
Young Minds:
If you are worried about a child or young person's behaviour or mental health, then you can get help here.
Click on the link below.
Children’s Mental Health Week
2023 – 2024
This Year at Bishop Lonsdale we took part in Children’s Mental Health Week.
The theme for the week was ' My Voice Matters.'
Throughout the week the children were given the time and space to express themselves through class discussions and through art.
Please click on the PDF below for 24 top tips on how you can support your child with this at home.