Mental Health

Mental Health

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

The emotional wellbeing of children is just as important as their physical health. Good mental health allows children and young people to develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults.

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. 

Help for Children

Lonely

Sad

Envious

Embarrassed

Brave

Angry

Jealous 

Shy

Worried

Happy

Help for Parents

Samaritans  Call:  116 123

Mind           Call: 0300 123 33 93 Text: 86463

Mindfulness

Mindfulness has been described as “the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment” (Kabat-Zinn 2003, p.144). Mindfulness is a fundamental part of human consciousness. Our mental capacity can be strengthened through a variety of training methods.

Mindfulness ideas

1: Draw a picture of how you feel

2: Listen to relaxing music and close your eyes

3: Talk about something that made you happy at the end of each day

4: Spidey senses: Sit still, what can you see, hear, smell taste, touch

5: Make a mindful jar: Fill an empty jar or bottle with water and glitter. Fasten the lid on and watch the glitter swirl and fall

6:  Peace out meditation 

7: Yoga