Wellbeing

Your wellbeing and the wellbeing of your children is very important to us in Pen-Y-Fai. We aim to promote positive mental health and wellbeing to our entire school community (staff, pupils and families). We recognise the importance of maintaining good physical and mental health as well as its effect on our total wellbeing. We want all our children to feel safe, valued and have trusted adults that they can talk to.

What is mental health?

We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health. Being mentally healthy means that we feel good about ourselves, make and keep positive relationships with others and can feel and manage the full range of emotions. These can range from happiness, excitement and curiosity through to less comfortable feelings such as anger, fear or sadness. Good mental health allows us to cope with life’s ups and downs, to feel in control of our lives and to ask for help from others when we need support.

How can parents support their children’s mental health?

As parents, it’s important to ensure that our children feel supported through each stage of development. While professional intervention can be warranted in situations where children are having great difficulty coping with life, there are many ways that parents can support a child’s mental health.

1. Model healthy coping skills.
2. Watch for behaviour changes.
3. Keep communication open and honest.
4. Create a routine and set clear boundaries at home.
5. Let them know they are loved and supported.
6. Provide positive feedback and encouragement
7. Encourage joyful movement.
8. Talk about emotions and feelings regularly.
9. Involve them in decision making.
10. Get professional help if needed.

As always, we have an open door policy at school where you are always welcome to come and discuss any issues with school staff. Mrs Matthewson, our Wellbeing lead, is available to help if you would like to make an appointment via the office. We have signposted some helpful links below that you may like to access for yourself or your child if you have any concerns.

Help and further information

Use the resources below to find out more about mental health and wellbeing:

• Make it count’s A-Z guide is a useful overview of key mental health topics
• Mind have a whole range of information and support information for children and parents on their website:
• Young Minds provide useful information for young people and their parents about mental health, seeking treatment and the mental health system.
• The NHS website is a useful place to find out about all kinds of illnesses, including mental health problems.
• Mind Ed for Families is a website developed by Health Education England and the Department of Education to help families understand and support their children, from parenting tips to getting help in a crisis.
• Headspace has some useful audio and video clips about different conditions and people’s experiences, as well as some mindfulness resources. Here are a couple:
  Anxiety
  Depression