At St Augustine's CE Primary School, we are committed to promoting and encouraging the positive mental health and emotional well-being of our children.  We believe that the mental well-being of our children is key to developing happy, inquisitive learners who are able to face challenges in a positive and proactive way.  Our school ethos and values underpin everything that we do, and we are relentless in the pursuit of a school community where everyone feels able to thrive.

What helps?

Things that can help keep children and young people mentally well include:

• being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet, having a good night’s sleep and getting regular exercise
• being part of a family that gets along well most of the time
• going to a school that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils
• having time and the freedom to play, indoors and outdoors
• set limits for screen time and avoid screen time for at least an hour before going to sleep
• healthy balance of active and passive screen time
• taking part in local activities for young people.

Other factors are also important, including:

• feeling loved, trusted, understood, valued and safe
• being interested in life and having opportunities to enjoy themselves
• being hopeful and optimistic
• being able to learn and having opportunities to succeed
• accepting who they are and recognising what they are good at
• having a sense of belonging in their family, school and community
• feeling they have some control over their own life
• having the strength to cope when something is wrong (resilience) and the ability to solve problems.

Mind

Mind is a mental health charity in England and Wales. It was founded in 1946 as the National Association for Mental Health. Mind offers information and advice to people with mental health problems and lobbies government and local authorities on their behalf.

Website: https://www.mind.org.uk/ 

Kooth

Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people. Here you can chat to counsellors, read articles written by young people and get support from the Kooth community. It is accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop.

Website: https://www.kooth.com

NHS: Every Mind Matters

Feeling stressed, anxious, low or struggling to sleep? Every Mind Matters can help with expert advice, practical tips and personalised actions to help stay. The site covers support within the following areas Mental wellbeing, Anxiety, Sleep, Stress and Low mood

Website: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/supporting-others/childrens-mental-health/

MindEd for Families 

Are you a parent or carer who is concerned about the mental health of your child or teenager? Do you just want some hints and tips on parenting? MindEd for Families has advice and information from trusted experts and will help you to understand what problems occur, what you can do to best support your family, and how to take care of yourself. Website: https://mindedforfamilies.org.uk/young-people

Childline

Childline helps anyone under the age of 19 in the UK with any issues they’re going through. It is free, confidential and available any time, day or night. Phone 08001111 Website: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/

Young Minds

Young minds are a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents, making sure all young people can get the mental health support that they need.

Website: https://www.youngminds.org.uk