At Birchensale, we aim to promote the positive mental health and well-being of every member of our school community and recognise how important mental health and well-being is to our lives, as is physical health. We recognise that children’s mental health and overall well-being can affect their learning and achievement.
A key aspect of our role in school is to ensure that children are able to manage times of change and stress, and that they are supported to reach their potential or access help when they need it. We also have a role to ensure that children learn about what they can do to maintain positive mental health, what affects their mental health, how they can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and where they can go if they need help and support.
Click here to find out more about our Mental Health Champions
Click here to view our Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy
At Birchensale we have defined well-being and mental health as:
‘The capacity to live a full productive life as well as the flexibility to deal with its ups and downs. In children and young people, it is especially about the capacity to learn, enjoy friendships, to meet challenges, to develop talents and capabilities.’ Young Minds 1996
“Mental health is defined as a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” World Health Organisation
A holistic approach to promoting positive mental health and well-being
We have a whole school approach to promoting positive mental health and well-being. Our vision is for all pupils to flourish and have ‘fullness of life’.
This is achieved by:
- Creating an ethos, policies and behaviours that support mental health and resilience and which everyone understands
- Helping children to develop social relationships support each other and seek help when they need it
- Helping children be resilient learners
- Teaching children social and emotional skills and an awareness of mental health
- Early identification of children who have mental health needs and planning to support their needs, including working with specialist services
- Effectively working with parents and carers
- Supporting and training staff to develop their skills and own resilience
- Developing an open culture that encourages discussion and understanding of mental health awareness