Mental Health and Wellbeing
Christmas Mindfulness
Mental Health and Wellbeing
At St. Mildred’s we believe in promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing. We aim to provide information and resources via the links below to support you, in supporting your child's mental health.
What helps our Mental Health
Following FRED’s advice helps to promote good mental health habits, which in turn helps to keep children mentally well.
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.
Try these THRIVE activities at home to support your child’s mental health.
How we support in school
Mental health and wellbeing is a priority for us at St Mildred's and we support this in many different ways in school. We follow the 'Jigsaw scheme' for our PSHE curriculum. We are proud to be starting the whole school Thrive Approach and have a Thrive practitioner and space in school.
Children are encouraged to recognise their emotions through using the Emotion charts in class, each classroom also has calm space to help children regulate their emotions.
What if my child is experiencing difficulties with their mental health and wellbeing?
Mental health doesn't mean being happy all the time and neither does it mean avoiding stresses altogether. We often say, 'it is ok to feel... sad, cross, worried etc - it's how we manage our feelings that is important.'
One of the most important ways to help your child is to listen to them and take their feelings seriously.
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.
Coping and adjusting to setbacks are critical life skills for children, just as they are for adults, but it is important that they develop positive, rather than negative, coping skills.
If you are ever worried abut 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.
If your child is distressed for a long time, if their negative feelings are stopping them from getting on with their lives, if their distress is disrupting family life or if they are repeatedly behaving in ways you would not expect at their age, then please speak to your child's teacher, Mr Reeves (SENCO) or Mandy Cliff (FLO).
Mental Health and Wellbeing
If things are getting you down, its 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 - but you do!
Come and talk to us, in confidence and let us know when things are tough. As much as you try to hide how you are feeling from your child, they will notice even the smallest changes.
Go to your GP if things are really getting on top of you. Asking for some support from your doctor or a referral to a counselling service is a sign of strength. You can't help your child if you are not being supported yourself.
Release the Pressure
If you are in distress, you can get immediate support from trained staff 24 hours a day. Text the word 'Kent' or 'Medway' depending on where you live to 85258, or call 0800 107 0160
Just talking can help
Talking therapies, also know as psychological therapies are effective, confidential therapies delivered by trained and accredited NHS practitioners. You can either refer yourself or speak with your GP , who can refer you.
Better Health - Every Mind Matters
Get a free NHS-approved Mind Plan. By answering five quick questions you’ll get a personalised action plan with practical tips to help you deal with stress and anxiety, boost your mood, sleep better and feel more in control.
Kent and Medway Safe Havens
Safe Havens offer face-to-face mental health support. If you visit a Safe Haven, you must wear a face mask. Safe Havens, run by Mental Health Matters, are available 6pm to 11pm, 365 days a year or people aged 16 plus. No appointment or referral is needed. Anyone who lives in Kent
Thanet Safe Havens 07850 655 877
Thanet Safe Haven, Holy Trinity Church, St Mary’s Avenue, Dane Valley, Margate, CT93TN
Live Well Kent
Is your mental health impacting your life, work, money, housing or relationships?
Live Well Kent can help through a range of groups, programmes and services.
Live Well Kent 0800 567 7699
Kent Resilience Hub
Provides information, guidance and resources for parents to support their own, as well as their child’s emotional wellbeing and resilience.
Children and Young People's Counselling Service
For children aged four to 19 struggling with their emotional health.
Kent School Health - Kent family (kentcht.nhs.uk) 0800 011 3474