Mental Health and Wellbeing at Chad Vale
At Chad Vale Primary School, we want to provide an effective and enjoyable teaching and learning environment, where children and young people can flourish. Children’s rights are at the heart of our ethos and culture. Two of our paramount objectives are to improve wellbeing and to develop every child’s talent and abilities to their full potential.
We aim to promote the mental and physical health and emotional wellbeing for our staff, parents and pupils. Wellbeing is (and always has been) at the forefront of the school’s curriculum and promoting good mental health is a top priority. We are committed to supporting the positive mental health and wellbeing of our whole school community (children, staff, parents and carers). We recognise that mental health and emotional wellbeing is just as important to our lives as physical health.
We endeavour to ensure that children are able to manage times of change and stress. We aim to ensure that they are supported to reach their full potential or access help when they need it. We also have a role in ensuring that children learn about: what they can do to maintain positive mental health; what affects their mental health; how they can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and where they can go if they need help or support.
There are a wealth of support services available nationally and locally that support both children and adults. We want to reduce the stigma in asking for help. Every person has mental health and physical health; sometimes this can be good and other times poor. If you would like any support, please do not hesitate in speaking to any member of staff in our school and we will do our up most to help you.
Wellbeing
​
Wellbeing is about our thoughts, feelings, emotions and ability to react to life. A good sense of wellbeing is feeling OK and able to cope, even when life or situations are challenging.
Sometimes our wellbeing can be affected by things which are out of our control: illness, a stressful family situation or even a pandemic!
When our wellbeing is affected and we feel like we are unable to cope, this can lead to mental health concerns such as: sadness, depression and unhelpful thoughts that can stop us from enjoying and coping with daily life.
Mental health illness
​
Sometimes, people are born with a mental health illness which affects them throughout their lives. They might have different ways of being supported and coping with their mental health illness; they might have to take medicines or they might have a doctor or counsellor that they talk to, to help them cope and regain a sense of wellbeing.
Mental illness is often invisible, but that does not mean that it should be hidden. There is lots of evidence and research to tell us that most people suffer from a mental health concern at some point in their lives and that one in ten young people struggle with their mental health. People with any illnesses, whether they affect our mental or physical health, deserve support, help and understanding.
Breaking the stigma
​
Understanding and responding to our mental health and wellbeing needs is something we believe in at Chad Vale Primary School. We aim to take away the stigma and negativity and help our pupils and families to talk openly.
In this section of our website, we hope to share activities and learning in schools, as well as helpful advice, websites and contacts. If you would like to see anything added to this site then please contact a member of staff who would be more than happy to help. You can also speak to Miss Millward, who is the schools Mental Health First Aider for a confidential chat.
​
https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/
https://www.relaxkids.com/calm-pack
https://www.actionforhappiness.org/coping-calendar
https://chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/list-of-online-resources-for-anyone-who-is-isolated-at-home
https://www.mindfulschools.org/free-online-mindfulness-class-for-kids/