Menu
I
Welcome to Leyland Methodist Schools! We are open as usual. Any weather updates will be delivered via Dojo and listed here on this banner.
I
Home Page

Leyland Methodist SchoolsA Federation of Leyland Methodist Infant and Junior Schools

Logo

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mental Health and Wellbeing

 

Mental Health and Wellbeing

 We believe in promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing. This page will be used to supply information and resources via the files below.

 

Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing

 

At Leyland Methodist Primary School, we believe in promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing to ensure that the school is a community where everyone feels able to thrive. Our school ethos and values underpin everything that we do.

 

Who has mental health?

 

We all have mental health – some people call this emotional health or wellbeing.

 

What is mental health?

 

The World Health Organisation defines mental health as a state of wellbeing in which every individual achieves their potential, copes with the normal stresses of life, works productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act.

 

Good mental health and wellbeing are just as important as good physical health. Like physical health, mental health can range across a spectrum from healthy to unwell; it can fluctuate on a daily basis and change over time.

 

Most children grow up mentally healthy, but surveys suggest that more children and young people have problems with their mental health today than 30 years ago. It is thought that this is probably because of changes in the way that we live now and how that affects the experience of growing up.

 

What helps?

 

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

 

  • Being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise.

  • Having time and the freedom to play, indoors and outdoors.

  • 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.

  • 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.

 

What happens in school?

 

In school, we teach children about what it means to have good mental health and wellbeing throughout our curriculum and daily practice. Key Stage 2 begin each year with a visit to Rock and River, an activity centre with specialist instructors. The purpose of the visit is for all children to be involved in team-building exercises to further develop resilience.

 

From Reception to Year 6, children access the My Happy Minds package, which is integral to our Wellbeing curriculum driver. My Happy Minds helps prepare children for tomorrow’s world by building resilient, balanced, and happy minds at home and school. More information can be accessed at My Happy Minds.

 

Year 5 pupils complete a term working with a Mental Health Specialist through 'Bounce Forward', becoming more self-aware of positive mental health and how to look after their minds and bodies.

 

Our PSHE curriculum focuses specifically on developing children’s social and emotional skills, which can prevent poor mental health from developing and help all children cope effectively with setbacks and remain healthy. It is about helping children to understand and manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviour and build skills that help them to thrive, such as working in a team, persistence, and self-awareness.

 

What if my child is experiencing difficulties with their mental health and wellbeing?

 

Mental health doesn’t mean being happy all the time, nor does it mean avoiding stress altogether. One of the most important ways to help your child is to listen to them and take their feelings seriously.

In many instances, children and young people’s negative feelings and worries usually pass with the support of their parents and families. It is helpful for the school to know what they are going through at these times so that staff can be aware of the need and support this.

 

Coping and adjusting to setbacks are critical life skills for children, just as they are for adults, but it is important that they develop positive, rather than negative, coping skills.

 

If you are ever worried about your child’s mental health and wellbeing, then, just as you would about any concerns that you have about their learning, come and talk to us. Sometimes children will need additional support for a short period – this may be in the form of a daily check-in with a trusted adult, time to talk through what they are feeling, and support in developing ways of moving forwards with this.

 

If your child is distressed for a long time, if their negative feelings are stopping them from getting on with their lives, if their distress is disrupting family life, or if they are repeatedly behaving in ways you would not expect at their age, then please speak to your child's teacher.

 

Looking after yourself

 

If things are getting you down, it’s important to recognise this. Talk to someone you trust and see what they think. It is easy to go on struggling with very difficult situations because you feel that you should be able to cope and don’t deserve any help.

 

Come and talk to us in confidence and let us know when things are tough. As much as you try to hide how you are feeling from your child, they will notice even the smallest changes.

 

Go to your GP if things are really getting on top of you. Asking for some support from your doctor or a referral to a counselling service is a sign of strength. You can’t help your child if you are not being supported yourself.

 

Mental Health Links:

Resources and Further Information

 

 

If you would prefer to contact us in writing regarding mental health and wellbeing issues, please use the following email address: head@lms.epworthtrust.org.uk

In this section

Our Ethos and Values Statement

Within God’s love for everyone, Our school family is committed to serve by:

- celebrating everyone’s unique God-given talents;

- giving the best of ourselves for all the world;

- doing all the good we can together.

  • Love
  • Serve
  • Celebrate
  • Together
Top