School Health Team are #HereToHelp Warwickshire families at this difficult time. Text for confidential health & wellbeing advice from their friendly nurses.
Young people (11-19yrs): Text ChatHealth on 07507331525
The weather has been beautiful this week and we hope that this is lifting your mood, this Mental Health Awareness Week. When taking a break or your daily exercise out in the sun, please ensure you stay safe by:
Drink plenty of water
Avoid the hottest part of the day (12-3pm)
Regularly apply a high factor sun cream with UVA and UVB protection to prevent your skin from burning.
Mental Health awareness week 18th May-24th May 2020.
Mental health awareness week is a chance for the UK to focus on mental health and to get people having conversations about mental health and mental ill health. In order to support this each day we will share a Parent Support pack (created by young minds matter) for our parents to have a look through and to get you thinking about mental health and how it might help you and help in your conversations with your children, loved ones, friends and family.
Just like our mental health, we have to take care of or mental health too. Sometimes there can be a barrier to talking about our mental health, but there should not be. There is no shame in struggling, and it's ok not to be ok.
If you are struggling with your mental health or you are worried about someone else who might be struggling, click below to access some support.
For the next 10 days we are going to post a “Taking care of YOU” top tip for our young people and families. We know this is a hard time for everyone and taking care of your mind as well as your body is so important at this time. These tips might not be anything new but sometimes it is helpful to have ideas broken down and shared again. Pass them on and help others too!
Talk to someone about your worries. It’s ok to feel helpless, scared or anxious at this time. It’s also ok to feel fine. Everyone reacts differently. Try talking to someone you trust about how you feel. Sharing our worries helps.
If you don’t feel you can talk to someone you know, click the link below for a range of fantastic helplines.
Nothing is more tempting than a good lie in in the morning-but did you know maintaining a good sleep pattern can positively effect your mood for the day ahead?
Something so simple as keeping to a sleep routine including a set bedtime each day will help you feel better. Follow good sleep behaviors such as limiting screen time 30 minutes before bed or allowing yourself some relaxing time before going to sleep, such as reading a book.
Day 3 28th April - active mind
With lots to think about at a time like this, it is important we keep our minds active with a positive focus.
Have you had a go at one of these lately?
A Puzzle, suduko, jigsaw, painting or drawing?
If you haven’t; then give it a try. What’s the harm? You can find plenty of examples of fun activities by following the link below;
Taking time out to relax can have a positive effect of our overall mental health and well being.
A great way to practice this is through mindfulness or mindful breathing. Have a watch of the clip and see how easy it is to do and the benefits it can bring to you;
It sometimes feels like we should distract ourselves when we are feeling low with schoolwork or Netflix or sleep, but all that means is we are squashing our ‘bad’ feelings down – it doesn’t mean they are going away. It can be helpful to make time to think about how you feel and to say to yourself that it is ok not to feel 100%. Maybe you could set aside 10 minutes to write down your worries; you might find that after you’ve written them down you’re a little bit lighter, and can concentrate fully on other more enjoyable tasks.
Day 7 5th May
Drink water. Our brains and bodies work better when we are hydrated, and so we feel more prepared to deal with whatever the day brings. Aim today to drink one more glass of water than you did yesterday.
Day 8 6th May
Plan your snacks. Stress can cause some people to overeat, while others may try to control what they are consuming and end up eating too little. Our brains and bodies need food to stabilise our moods, but too much sugar may leave us feeling tired, sluggish or even feeling guilty. Plan to eat two snacks a day, one mid-morning and one mid-afternoon and prepare them in advance. That way, you’ll ensure you are eating regularly, and be less tempted to grab whatever is closest when you’re hungry.
Day 9 7th May
Turn your phone off an hour before bed. It can be tempting to stay up late in to the night gaming, scrolling or chatting to friends on your devices, but devices emit a blue light which stops your brain from releasing melatonin; the sleep hormone. In order to ensure you get a good quality sleep, turn your devices off one hour before bedtime and do something else such as doodling or reading instead.
Day 10 8th May
Get outside (if it is safe and you can!) Studies have shown that being outside and being amongst nature can reduce stress. Even if you don’t have a garden, looking out of the window at some trees for 10 minutes while you have a cup of tea can be beneficial for your wellbeing.
Understanding your Teenager’s Brain
Warwickshire County Council is providing free online courses for parents. A new guide has been developed by the NHS and added to the library of courses, 'Understanding your teenager’s brain'. You can find out what happens to the brain when children hit adolescence and this explains some of the changes in behaviour that you may notice.
What to do if you’re feeling worried while school is closed?
If you feel unsafe at home, or feel worried about a friend or sibling during the current situation, here are some things you may be able to do to get the help you need:
ext or call a trustworthy family member or safe adult who may be able to help you
Call Childline 0800 1111 and talk through how you are felling and your concerns
If you have a safeguarding concern for a young person you can:
Call school between 9am and 3pm Mon-Fri in term time
Call Warwickshire MASH on 01926 414144
If you are at immediate risk of harm call 999
If you, or a member of your family become unwell, don’t panic. The advice from Public Health is simple, you must remain at home and if your condition worsens contact 111 or 999 in an emergency. Most young people will only experience mild symptoms.
Fake news is everywhere. It is important that if you see something on Social media, you always check it out through a trusted source. The Government launched an official WhatsApp messaging service yesterday. To use the free GOV.UK Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp, simply add 07860 064422 in your phone contacts and then message the word ‘hi’ in a WhatsApp message to get started.
After a week of Mental Health Awareness events, Friday 10th October was our 'Make a Difference Day'. What an incredible way to end the week! We could not be prouder of every student who has helped out, led, campaigned and supported the events this week, it really has been one to remember!
On Wednesday 10th October, for part of our Mental Health Awareness week but also as an activity for Make a Difference day, eighteen students from Southam College Sixth Form visited Galanos House in Southam.
Today is World Mental Health Day! Wow, What a fantastic day it has been! We started the day with a year 9 assembly led by 3 members of the student 'Art of Wellbeing team', Verity, Esh & Amy.
Well done to Year 13 Psychology students Lizzie & Nicole who led the Mental Health stall on Phobias and Anxiety today, handing out conversation starter games and their own information sheets they have created for students to read.
