We have qualified Mental Health First Aiders at Nelson Primary School.
Mental health First Aid (MHFA) is the help given to children and young people experiencing a mental health issue before professional help is obtained. It a first response and staff with MHFA training can recognise symptoms, provide initial help and enable the child or young person to access further professional help. Staff who have completed the training will have this symbol on their email responses.
The Department for Education (DfE) recognises that ‘in order to help their pupils succeed; schools have a role to play in supporting children to be resilient and mentally healthy’. Schools can be a place where children and young people can be nurtured and experience a supportive environment, helping to develop self-esteem, provide positive experiences for overcoming adversity and building resilience.
As adults we have a role to ensure children are able to manage times of change and stress, be resilient, are supported to reach their full potential and access appropriate help when needed. We also have a role to ensure children learn about what affects their mental health, what they can do to maintain a positive mental health and where they can access help and support if needed.
Positive mental health is a shared responsibility and we all have a role to play.
Listen – reflectively feedback to ensure you are hearing what they are saying
Spend quality time together – every day if possible
Look behind the behaviour rather than at the behaviour
Encourage creative relaxing time to enjoy a hobby/interest
Build a family specific routine
Ensure healthy eating and sleeping routines
Resource to use at home -Emotional Health Service – Grow Your Mind
https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/young-people/information-and-advice/emotional-health-service/resource-hub/growth-mindset-programe/primary-growth-mindset-programme
For general information and support regarding mental health
www.youngminds.org.uk champions young people’s mental health and wellbeing
www.mind.org.uk advice and support on mental health problems
www.minded.org.uk (e-learning)
For more specific support regarding mental health issues:
Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk OCD UK www.ocduk.org
Depression Alliance www.depressoinalliance.org
Eating Disorders www.b-eat.co.uk and www.inourhands.com
National Self-Harm Network www.nshn.co.uk
www.selfharm.co.uk
Suicidal thoughts Prevention of young suicide UK – PAPYRUS: www.papyrus-uk.org