What is Mental Health?
The World Health Organisation defines mental health as a state of wellbeing in which every individual achieves their potential, copes with the normal stresses of life, works productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to their community. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act.
In several ways, mental health is just like physical health: everybody has it and we need to look after it.
Good mental health means being generally able to think, feel and react in the ways that you need and want to live your life. However, if you go through a period of poor mental health, you might find that you’re frequently thinking negatively or feeling down, and it becomes difficult, or even impossible, to cope. This can feel just as bad as, or even worse than, a physical illness.
Mental health problems affect around one in four people in any given year. They range from common problems, such as depression and anxiety, to much more serious issues.
Good mental health helps children:
- Learn and interact with the world
- Feel, express and manage a range of positive and negative emotions
- Form and maintain good relationships with others
- Learn how to deal with unexpected change and emotions
- Develop and thrive
Building strong mental health early in life can help children build their self-esteem, learn to settle themselves and engage positively with their education. This, in turn, can lead to improved academic attainment, enhanced future employment opportunities and positive life choices.
At Bower Park, mental health is just as important as physical and emotional health. Healthy minds mean healthy students, and we strive to give the right support and guidance to any student who suffers from mental health issues.
A shocking 19% of young people live with a mental illness that affects their daily life – that’s 19% more than it should be. No one should have to suffer in silence, and that is why mental health awareness is so important to everyone here at Bower Park.
If you know anyone at our school who suffers from mental health problems, or someone who you feel needs to talk to someone about how they are feeling, please talk to a senior member of staff.
Am I the only one who feels this way?
When experiencing a mental health problem, it is often confusing, and you feel as if you are different from your friends and family – if you do become unwell, you may feel that it’s a sign of weakness, or that you are ‘losing your mind’.
These fears are often reinforced by the negative (and often unrealistic) way that people experiencing mental health problems are shown on TV, in films and by the media. This may cause discomfort in your daily life when going out with friends and family, or you may find it hard to talk about your problems or seek help. This, in turn, is likely to increase your distress and sense of isolation.
Where can I seek help?
- Your doctor
- Friend, family, carers and neighbours
- Peer support
- Charity and third sector organisations
Who can I call?
- Samaritans – “We’re here round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call us on the phone. This number is FREE to call. You don’t have to be suicidal to call us.”
- Mind’s Infoline – For mental health information, Mind’s Infoline is open 9am-6pm weekdays. You can contact Mind on 0300 330 0630, text 86463 or email info@mind.org.uk.
- https://www.childline.org.uk/ – free advice and one-on-one sessions with counsellors. All conversations remain anonymous.
- 0800 1111 – Childline hotline
- https://kooth.com/ – much like Childline, Kooth offers anonymous support for young people daily, from 12pm to 6pm.
Support Links
If you have any concerns about school life, or if you feel that you are the victim of bullying, please e-mail the school using the contact page.
A Message from the National Crime Agency on Internet Safety
The NCA’s CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) command is here to help children and young people. We are here to help if you are a young person and you or your friend (up to age 18) has been forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity with anyone, online or in the real world.
We also have advice and links to support for other online problems young people might face, such as cyberbullying and hacking.
Visit our Safety Centre for advice and to report directly to CEOP, by clicking on the Click CEOP button below:
Visit our Safety Centre for advice and to report directly to CEOP, by clicking on the Click CEOP button:
