“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” Fred Rogers
We all know the power of a kind word or how the chance to talk things out can change our perspective and lift our mood. Empowering our students to use their voices and making sure they are listened to is central to our school culture.
Our unique MAP and L2L curricula help our children to understand how to take charge of their own mental and physical wellbeing and these subjects are timetabled for all year groups in our Prep and Senior schools; these lessons provide a forum for discussion and sharing experiences.
Tutors are at the heart of our pastoral support network. They play a vital role in students’ daily routines and are the first port of call if help is needed. Every student also chooses their own champion, someone they trust and who will be there to listen. Champion Groups meet regularly and function as vertical peer groups, bringing together students of all ages for a chance to form connections across the school and create new support networks.
Should any of our students or their families need another person to talk to, we are lucky enough to have a number of visiting counsellors available who I work alongside. As well as being a Year 11 Form Tutor, I talk to students throughout the school, running drop-in sessions during break times and individual or group support sessions where needed. I’m delighted that the school has shown such commitment to championing the mental wellbeing of our whole community. Most recently, we have rolled out Mental Health First Aid training for staff, helping everyone working at school to be more aware and more confident in offering help.
Last term, senior students were invited to become Mental Health ambassadors for the school. We had lots of brilliant applications for the role and 8 students successfully completed the training course. Often children prefer to talk to their peers rather than adults, so having our network of ambassadors dotted around school is another great way to get talking. The ambassadors have been trained to listen, to not judge and to point to a trusted adult for help. A green badge makes them visible around school.
Often as a parent it can feel like you are the last person your child wants to talk to! But don’t be put off – we arrange for all our parents to have access to the brilliant TeenTips Wellbeing Hub, which is full of expert advice and we are always here to help in person. Bear in mind that the teenage brain can mistake worry for anger, so being explicit about how you are feeling may seem silly to an adult but can be illuminating for your child. Talking face to face can be daunting, so distraction is always a good way to remove some of the pressure. Catch up with your young person over a game of FIFA, Fortnite, Call of Duty or whatever else they are into. Go for a walk, bake together, draw a picture or get crafting.