These top tips are based on the work of the Mental Health Foundation.
Mentally healthy schools are the result of a huge amount of work and constant work by the whole school community. No matter how much your school currently does to support mental health, there are still things school staff can do to help themselves.
1. YOUR Mental Health
Use the 5 Ways to Wellbeing yourself! It’s difficult for anyone to support someone else if they are not mentally well themselves.
2. Help
We all have times when our mental health moves along the mental health spectrum. Talk to a trusted friend, family member or colleague and seek advice from your GP if necessary.
3. Talk about Mental Health
One of the most important things you can do is to talk to pupils about mental health in a non-stigmatising way, explaining that it affects us all and is not black and white but a spectrum.
4. 5 Ways to Wellbeing
The 5 Ways to Wellbeing are simple to understand. They can be integrated into the classroom, by creating a display board or by using each of the ways as a daily theme one day a week. If you teach RSE/PSHE take a look at the Guide to Life.
5. Good Habits
The 5 Ways to Wellbeing are simple to understand. They can be integrated into the classroom, by creating a display board or by using each of the ways as a daily theme one day a week. If you teach RSE/PSHE take a look at the Guide to Life.
6. Listen
If a pupil shares their worries, listen rather than giving advice. If you have any concerns about their safety, follow your school’s safeguarding policy and discuss with your designated safeguarding lead.
