Mental Health and Wellbeing

At St Mary Magdalene we understand that a child's emotional wellbeing is as important as academic progress and physical health. Children with good mental health develop resilience to enable them to cope with the ups and downs of life and to grow into healthy, well rounded adults.

Mental health problems affect about 1 in 10 children and young people. They include anxiety, depression, conduct disorder and are very often a direct response to what is happening in their lives.

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 such as St Mary Magdalene 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

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. That’s probably because of changes in the way we live now and how that affects the experience of growing up.

(Mental Health Foundation)

Please see the documents below for ideas to help speak with your child should you feel they would benefit

• You're never to young to talk mental health
• 7 ways to support children and young people who are worried
• Anxiety Booklet
• Reassuring children and young people who are worried about coronavirus

At St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School we have a designated Mental Health Team

Mrs K Williams - Designated Safeguarding Lead - Mental Health Lead

Mrs C Lighthill - Designated Safeguarding Lead and Family Support Worker

Mrs R Jones - Headteacher - Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs C Ledger - SENCO

As a Catholic School we also foster the healthy spirit of our whole community through an active and vibrant prayer life, for both pupils and staff, staff reflections and guided meditations for children all within the context of respect and love for each person as a unique individual. Our religious education and RSE curriculum supports this aim.

Family Support at St Mary Magdalene 

Mrs C Lighthill is available to all parents through school for guidance, support and signposting to other services. Mrs Lighthill is also able to offer courses in Protective Behaviours and Drawing and Talking Therapy.

Parent space is a weekly drop-in session for parents offering a range of support, please see the flyer below for details.

Organisations that can help if you are concerned about your child's mental health are:

 

• CAMHS
• Childline
• Young Minds
• Mentally Healthy Schools
• Anna Freud - National centre for children and families

Parents may request a copy of the schools Mental Health Policy if they wish.