Well-Being
Mental Health
Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realises their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community. (World Health Organisation).
At St James’s C.E. Primary School, we aim to promote positive mental health for every member of staff and student body. We pursue this aim using both universal, whole school approaches and specialised, targeted approaches aimed at students, staff and families.
In addition to promoting positive mental health, we aim to recognise and respond to mental ill health. By developing and implementing practical, relevant and effective mental health policies and procedures we can promote a safe and stable environment for students affected both directly, and indirectly by mental ill health.
We have a number of staff who are trained in Mental Health First Aid for both children and adults. Our Senior Mental Health Leads are Mrs Plant and Mrs Jones .
Mental Health & Well-being support
Happier Minds - Click Here!
A mental wellbeing website for young people, parents/carers and school based staff in Dudley.
This May Help - Click here!
This May Help has been created to support parents and carers with concerns about their child’s mental health. The subjects covered on this website have been chosen by families and young people who have gone through their own mental health challenges. What helped them may also help you. The films offer advice across six main subject areas, with ten additional films offering supporting information. The films can be viewed in any order at any time.
Young Minds - Click here!
Young minds is a leading mental health charity which offers children anything from a reassuring conversation to specialist mental health support. There is also a parent helpline.
Every Mind Matters - Click here!
A site from the NHS with expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
NSPCC - Click here!
The NSPCC are offering support and advice if you feel your child is struggling with their mental health and anxiety following to Covid-19 pandemic. More information and advice can be found on their website.
Shout - Click here!
If you are struggling to cope and need to talk, our trained Shout Volunteers are here for you, day or night. Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service. You can text from wherever you are in the UK. The website also has a wealth of resources.
Action for Happiness - Click here!
Action for Happiness is a movement of people committed to building a happier and more caring society. Their aim is to see a fundamentally different way of life - where people care less about what they can get just for themselves and more about the happiness of others.
ChildLine - Click here!
Childline offer advice tips and support on the topic of Mental Health.
NHS - Click here!
Information and support for Mental Health from the NHS.
BBC Mood Boosters - Click here!
Fun curriculum-linked resources to inspire children to get moving for mental health and wellbeing.
Anna Freud (National Centre for children & Families) - Click here!
Self care - the things that we can do to look after our own mental health.
The What? Centre - Click Here!
The What? Centre is a Young Person’s Advice and Counselling Service whose main base is Stourbridge and has another building in Dudley. The What? Centre supports children from the age of 9 years old.
Here4YOUth - Click Here!
Here4YOUth empower young people to make positive changes for a brighter, safer future by providing a safe space for young people to talk about and receive support through health & wellbeing interventions.
Five Ways to well-being
Here are the 5 ways to wellbeing that we have been exploring. If you give them a try, you may feel happier, more positive and able to get the most from life.
Connect
Connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Spend time developing these relationships.
Be active
You don’t have to go to the gym! Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life.
Click here to visit our 'Be active' page.
Keep learning
Learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not have a go at cooking something new, start learning to play a musical instrument, or figure out how to fix your bike?
Give to others
Even the smallest act can count, whether it’s a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks.
Take Notice
Be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.
The Den
The Den is at the heart of the school. It is a designated and purpose designed space which supports the social and emotional needs of our pupils here at St James's. Some pupils will access the den when dealing with an isolated incident, whilst others visit as part of a longer term programme.
Impact
The Den can be accessed from 8.30am for morning transition. For pupils experiencing difficulty with separation, use of The Den for a smooth transition has reduced anxiety for pupils and parents but has also reduced workload for the office staff and school staff who were previously receiving a number of pupils from a number of year groups all of whom had to be escorted to their individual classrooms. Morning routines are calmer and more conducive to a positive start than they have ever been.
Alongside the set up of the Den all staff at St James's received Emotion Coaching training which has been invaluable as a strategy for de-escalation. Staff are also now more frequently seeking out the support and advice of the Nurture Group practitioners as we learn more about the principles and how they can be used in our every day classroom environments.
In November 2019, we were proud to receive The Wellbeing Award for Schools. The assessment involved recognised the role The Den plays at St James's and our report stated, "it has had an enormous impact in children’s behaviours, safety, feeling of security, ability to manage their own emotions and self-regulate.”
