Emotionally Healthy Schools
Emotionally Healthy Schools Award
At Portway Infant School, it is our vision that all children are entitled to develop to their fullest potential academically, socially, emotionally and into healthy well beings. We believe this will enable each child to grow in confidence and be able to fully participate in everything that goes on in the wider community. It is widely recognised that a child’s emotional health and wellbeing influences their cognitive development and learning, as well as their physical and social health and their mental wellbeing in adulthood. The Department for Education recognises that, in order to help their pupils succeed: schools have a role to play in supporting them to be resilient and mentally healthy.
“Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” (World Health Organization 2014)
Managing young peoples anxiety
Some mindful and relaxation exercises to help manage anxiety in children:
https://www.headspace.com/meditation/kids
https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
Source: NW SEND Regional Network
Managing your own wellbeing
Useful links
Young Minds has a parent helpline that offers free confidential telephone and email support to any adult that is worried about the wellbeing of a child or young person.
0808 802 5544
Mind – Information line offers advice and support to service users; has a network of local associations in England and Wales to which people can turn for help.
0300 123 3393, text number: 86463
Bridge the Gap is a non-profit children's mental health team, based in Derby. As a school we have worked closely with the team and they have had a big impact in the mental health of the children and families in our school.
https://www.jwbridgethegap.com/book-online
01332 600827
45 Friar Gate NOT, Friar Gate Ct, Derby DE1 1DA
Hub of Hope
The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database. It is provided by national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma, and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place for the first time. You can access the database via the website www.hubofhope.co.uk or you can download the hub of hope app to your phone or tablet.
Kooth
Kooth is a free online Mental Health and Well-being resource for children and young people in Derby and Derbyshire that requires no formal referral, instead only requiring the user to set up an account on the website. Available 365 days of the year via mobile, tablet and desktop devices from 12 noon to 10pm Monday-Friday and 6pm-10pm at weekends, the service provides access to accredited counselling support, peer support via online forums and relevant articles detailing a variety of topics.
To sign up, please visit www.kooth.com/
Qwell
Qwell is a free online Mental Health and Wellbeing resource for parents and carers of young people under the age of 18 that requires no formal referral, instead only requiring the user to set up an account on the website. Available 365 days of the year via mobile, tablet and desktop devices from 12 noon to 10pm Monday-Friday and 6pm-10pm at weekends, the service provides access to accredited counselling support, peer support via online forums and relevant articles detailing a variety of topics.
To sign up, please visit www.qwell.io/
For some useful guidance on maintaining aspects of your mental health at this very challenging time of unknowns and social restrictions please visit https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak