Mental Health Awareness
It was great to see so many pupils wearing green on 16th May, in support of Mental Health Awareness Week. The week was an opportunity to raise the profile of mental health and remind pupils of strategies to help them look after their own mental health and wellbeing and also, to look out for their peers, who might be struggling.
Published NHS data, as well as information and evidence from the UK government, schools and charities, paints a landscape of concerning levels of mental health issues among children and young people, in the UK. This includes the statistic that one in five children and young people in England, aged eight to twenty five, had a probable mental disorder in 2023.
These worrying national trends and the additional barrier of extended waiting times to access many services, affect all of us, particularly those who parent, teach, support or care for children or young people in some way.
At Coppetts Wood, we recognise and appreciate the extent and impact of these issues upon our pupils. We are continuing to build our therapeutic provision, through a range of interventions, support and professionals. This provision includes: Forest School; pastoral support; lunchtime club; art and play therapists (including for under 5s); child psychotherapists and ongoing support and training for staff.
Our children face many challenges, from our modern world, that can have a significant impact upon their education and daily life. It is important that school and home work closely together, to best support pupils with difficulties affecting their mental health or wellbeing, as early as possible, and via the best support available. If you are worried about your child's mental health or wellbeing, please contact your child’s class teacher – via the school office - in the first instance, or contact Mrs Maltese, our SENCO for further advice, information or support.
Place2Be: Parenting Smart: Articles
Support & advice for parents | NSPCC
Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership - Mental health and emotional wellbeing
Mental health for children, teenagers and young adults - NHS