At St. Bernadette's we want to provide an effective and enjoyable teaching and learning environment, where children flourish.  We are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our children and staff. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.

We are in the process of appointing a new Mental Health First Aider. 

At our School we: 

  -  help children to understand their emotions and feelings better

  -  help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries

  -  help children socially to form and maintain relationships

  -  promote self-esteem and ensure children know that they count

  -  encourage children to be confident and ‘dare to be different’

  -  help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks

We offer different levels of support:

Universal Support – To meet the needs of all our children through our overall ethos and our wider curriculum. For instance, developing

                                 resilience for all.

Additional Support – For those who may have short-term needs and those who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences

                                 such as bereavement.

Targeted Support – For children who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions such as

                                wellbeing groups or personal mentors.

We all have times when we have low mental wellbeing, where we feel stressed, upset or find it difficult to cope. There are some common life events that may affect you or your child's mental wellbeing:

• Loss or bereavement.
• Loneliness.
• Relationship problems.
• Issues at school.
• Worries about money.

Everyone deserves to feel good and there are steps you or your child can take to maintain and improve your mental wellbeing:

• Build positive relationships.
• Take time for yourself.
• Look after your mental health.
• Look after your physical health.
   

What can your child do in School to gain mental wellbeing?

• Be open and talk about your feelings with your friends.
• Associate yourself with positive people.
• Join an afterschool club.
• Speak to a member of staff.
• Tell the Mental Health First Aider
• Get physically active (a healthy body and mind are closely linked).

Mental Health Illness

Sometimes, people are born with a mental health illness which affects them throughout their lives. They might have different ways of being supported and coping with their mental health illness; they might take a medicine or they might have a doctor or counsellor that they talk to, to help them cope and regain a sense of wellbeing.

Mental illness is often invisible, but that doesn’t mean it should be hidden. Statistics tell us that most people suffer from a mental health concern at some point in their lives and that one in ten young people struggle with their mental health. People with any illnesses, whether they affect our mental or physical health, deserve support, help and understanding.

Breaking the Stigma

Understanding and responding to our mental health and wellbeing needs is something we believe in at St. Bernadette's. We aim to take away the stigma and negativity and help our pupils and families to talk openly.

RAINBOWS BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GREAT BRITAIN

Here at St. Bernadette's we are immensely proud to be a recognised Rainbows Site for our children.

Rainbows Bereavement Support Great Britain is a well respected national charity having a proven, positive impact on the lives of children, young people and adults grieving a significant and often devastating loss in their lives.

Their vision is for every child and young person in every School in Great Britain, grieving a significant and often devastating loss in their lives, to be understood and supported appropriately.

The principal objectives and activities of Rainbows Bereavement Support Great Britain are:

• Raising awareness of the impact of bereavement and loss on children, young people and adults
• Facilitating high quality education and training in bereavement and loss
• Providing practical, realistic and sensitive guidance to ensure all schools have appropriate bereavement policies and procedures  in place
• Nurturing and developing the emotional health and mental well-being of children, young people and adults who have experienced a significant loss through death, relationship breakdown or other adverse circumstance

The work of Rainbows is tried, tested, researched, monitored and evaluated. We know the impact of their work is long-lasting and has a tangible impact on people’s lives.

We hope to help our children through any bereavement, a parent separation they may have to go through as well as nurturing children who perhaps are struggling with their low self-esteem, mental health or who just need a little confidence boost.  

If you would like to speak to confidentially then please do not hesitate to the contact the School Office who will put you in touch with the appropriate person.

KOOTH

Kooth is an online mental wellbeing community that children can use from the age of 11.  It gives children and young people immediate access to an online community of peers and a team of experienced, accredited counsellors.

Here are some of the features you can access on Kooth:

Magazine - The Kooth Magazine shares personal experiences and tips from young people and the Kooth Team.

Discussion Boards - Start or join a conversation with the friendly Kooth community, with lots of topics to choose from such as school, transition etc.

Chat - Chat with our helpful team about anything that's on your mind.

Daily Journal - Use your daily journal to track feelings or emotions and reflect on how you're doing.

Wellbeing Activities - Find activities that support your wellbeing and help to build valuable life skills.