Mental Health and Wellbeing
At Castlefort Academy we want to ensure that we are creating healthy environment for staff, pupils and families where positive mental health is everyone’s business and every individual and contribution is valued.
We know that life challenges may make us vulnerable at times and that anyone may need additional support at some stage. On these pages, you will find useful links to services and resources that will help manage and improve your Mental Health and Wellbeing. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our Senior Mental Health Lead is: Mrs C Simcox
What is Mental Health and Mental Wellbeing?
Mental health is a state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, reach their full potential, and contribute to their communities.
Mental wellbeing refers to feeling good and functioning well in daily life. Both concepts are more than the mere absence of illness; they are positive states that exist on a spectrum and are influenced by physical, mental, social, and environmental factors.
Sometimes we experience good periods of mental health where we generally feel happy and can cope with every day stressors. Sometimes we may need some additional support. 1 in 4 people experience a mental health issue of some kind each year in England (Mind Charity).
Managing Wellbeing
Having good mental health and wellbeing does not mean you will feel happy and content all of the time. Everyone has ups and downs. Having strategies to help you cope, unwind and manage the stresses of life really help. Managing your wellbeing can be tricky at first. The trick is to try out what works for you and take things gradually. It is important that we recognise ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup’. Looking after our own wellbeing as parents, carers, family or staff is essential for looking after the wellbeing of our children.
You can manage your wellbeing by making time for:
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Being creative and learning new things
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Spending time outside or with nature
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Connecting with others
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Looking after physical health and keeping active
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Trying to get enough sleep.
For more tips and ideas on managing your own wellbeing, including free mindfulness apps, please see these links below:
Wellbeing ideas: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/wellbeing/wellbeing/
How food can lift your mood: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/food-and-mood/about-food-and-mood/
Tips on managing loneliness: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/loneliness/about-loneliness/
Tips on managing stress: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/stress/#SR3RrXXadJ0Ja9Sa.99
Rainbows trust guide to supporting parents with an illness: https://www.rainbowtrust.org.uk/parentsmatter?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIydGhp_mf7QIVFJzVCh2WLwmzEAAYAyAAEgIQR_D_BwE
Yoga for stress and anxiety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTANio_2E0Q
Free mindfulness apps: https://www.puregym.com/blog/top-free-mindfulness-apps/
Managing the Mental Health and Wellbeing of your child
Wellbeing can be a tricky area to navigate with our children and will look different for each child.
As a school, the health and wellbeing of our children is a priority. We do a number of things to support them, and wellbeing support is woven through every aspect of our curriculum. Here are some general tips and resources for promoting wellbeing at home. If you have any concerns about your child please contact us.
- Spend quality time together: Engage in activities your child enjoys, like playing games or pursuing their interests, to foster a connection.
- Encourage healthy habits: Promote regular exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient sleep, as these are foundational to good mental health.
- Create routines: Sticking to a daily routine provides a sense of security and can help reduce anxiety.
- Model positive behaviour: Show your child how you cope with your own difficult feelings and take care of your own mental health.
- Communicate Effectively
- Listen actively: Give your child your full attention when they speak, making them feel heard and understood without judgment.
- Validate their feelings: Let them know that it's normal to experience pain, fear, anger, and anxiety.
- Talk openly: Create an environment where children feel safe discussing their feelings, whether it's a small challenge or a bigger concern.
- Check in regularly: Even if they don't want to talk immediately, regular check-ins show them you're there for them.
For more tips and ideas on supporting your child’s wellbeing please see these links below:
In school, we support Mental Health and Wellbeing in the following ways
We support children to:
- Identify and communicate their emotions.
- Build social connections and friendships.
- Develop strategies to manage and express emotions in a safe and healthy way.
- Develop emotional resilience.
We support staff to:
- Manage workload by planning deadlines around key pressure points in the school calendar.
- Access support through a staff helpline
- Talk to one of the schools Mental Health Ambassadors
- Access CPD to further their development and career.
- Address concerns or challenges openly with senior leadership team
We support our families by:
- Offering support sessions, coffee mornings, and external training opportunities.
- Sign posting, and supporting to access, a range of services in the community.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Provision at Castlefort
Mrs Simcox heads up our strategy for developing good mental health and emotional well-being, not just for the children, but also for all adults in school and parents/carers in our whole-school community. Take a look at some of our key initiatives:
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The 'zones of regulation' (strategies using the 'Inside Out' characters): encouraging children to regulate their own feelings and emotions before seeking further help from staff in school.
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Use of our brand new sensory garden - a calming space for children to unwind, calm down and channel positive thoughts and feelings. It could be to enjoy gardening, have a chat with a friend or even read a good book. Our mindfulness colouring activities also take place here, led by our 'Well-being Champions'.
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Our reviewed PSHE curriculum ensures that pupils access learning linked to mental health and emotional well-being topics.
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Worry boxes in all classrooms allow children to share any worries or anxieties they may be having without having to verbalise them. These are checked regularly through the school day.
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'Well-being Champions': a team of kind and caring children who strive to make all children feel safe and included at break and lunch times. These children are easily recognisable around our school with their bright yellow lanyards. They have all received training in our 'SMILE' strategy to enable them to support children who feel 'unhappy' during unstructured times of the school day.
Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being Awards for Schools
We are exceptionally proud to have achieved the Mental Health and Emotional Well Being award for schools. Thank you for your suggestions, evaluations and participation in all of the events we have organised relating to raising awareness of mental health and emotional well-being amongst our whole-school community. So far, we've made a real difference in our approach to this important area of development and will strive to keep improving the quality of our provision.
Mental Health First Aid
Mrs. Simcox is now a trained mental health first aider and is on hand to support and guide staff or parents to the appropriate support from outside agencies should they be concerned about their own or another adult's mental health or wellbeing. There is so much out there to support anyone who may be finding things difficult at the moment and Mrs. Simcox is always available to listen and guide you to the appropriate facilities. When we support each other, that is one step in the right direction to a happier and healthier lifestyle.
Our Mental Health Strategy
Useful Documents for Parents
School Nursing Service Leaflet Walsall
Any concerns or questions?
If you feel you would like to learn more about how you could support your child's emotional health and wellbeing at home, Mrs. Simcox is more than happy to help. She is in school on a Monday to Thursday and welcomes any ideas parents may have regarding the provision of workshops or support sessions for parents of children in our school. Please speak to her for more information.