Growing up is never any easy time and for some children there are things which can trigger mental ill health. This can be seen in many different ways, however children, as with adults experiencing similar issues, can feel stigmatised and unable to approach people for help. Mental health is a subject that many of us find difficult to discuss, primarily because of a fear of saying the wrong thing and making matters worse. Mental ill health is however a prevalent issue, with it being estimated that at least 1 in 10 children will experience some form of mental ill health at some point in their childhood. If you think about the place that you work in, this could mean that there are a lot of children and young people who may experience some form of difficulty around mental health, and research suggests this number is increasing.

Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave. One in four people in the UK has a mental health problem at some point, which can affect their daily life, relationships or physical health. One or two in every 100 people will experience a more severe mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. NHS Direct Wales, 2019

What helps good mental health? For children to remain mentally well they need: • good physical health (including good diet and regular exercise). • to be able to explore and develop interests (through their environment, play and interaction with others). • to feel part of a family (feeling as though they belong, get along with others, are loved, valued and safe). • to be supported to learn, be optimistic and feel that they have a say.to feel part of a community (e.g. school / nursery / etc.). • to be supported to cope when things do not go well.to be supported to learn how to problem solve.

For help with mental health please look at https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

Children's Yoga

In the Autumn term, we were visited by a yoga teacher. Here are some photos of the sessions: