Mental Health

At Giles Brook, we are committed to promoting and encouraging the positive mental health and emotional well-being of our children. We believe that the mental well-being of our children is key to developing happy, inquisitive learners who are able to face challenges in a positive and proactive way. Our school ethos and values underpin everything that we do, and we are relentless in the pursuit of a school community where everyone feels able to thrive.

What Is Good Mental Health?

Good mental health and wellbeing is just as important as good physical health. Like physical health, mental health can range across a spectrum from healthy to unwell; it can fluctuate on a daily basis and change over time.

Most children grow up mentally healthy, but surveys suggest that more children and young people have problems with their mental health today than 30 years ago. It is thought that this is probably because of changes in the way that we live now and how that affects the experience of growing up.

What Helps?

Things that can help keep children and young people mentally well include:

being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet, having a good night’s sleep and getting regular exercise
being part of a family that gets along well most of the time
going to a school that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils
having time and the freedom to play, indoors and outdoors
set limits for screen time and avoid screen time for at least an hour before going to sleep
healthy balance of active and passive screen time
taking part in local activities for young people.

Other factors are also important, including:

feeling loved, trusted, understood, valued and safe
being interested in life and having opportunities to enjoy themselves
being hopeful and optimistic
being able to learn and having opportunities to succeed
accepting who they are and recognising what they are good at
having a sense of belonging in their family, school and community
feeling they have some control over their own life
having the strength to cope when something is wrong (resilience) and the ability to solve problems.

What If My Child Is Experiencing Difficulties With Their Mental Health And Wellbeing?

If you are ever worried about your child’s mental health and wellbeing then, just as you would about any concerns that you have about their learning, come and talk to us. Sometimes children will need additional support for a short period – this may be in the form of a daily check-in with a trusted adult, time to talk through what they are feeling and support in developing ways of moving forwards with this. Do not hesitate to speak to your child's teacher to open up these important conversations; we are here to help.

We are now working with the MK Mental Health Schools Team so that we refer children to receive additional support if needed. Parents and Carers can also refer to the service themselves - here is a link to more information and a self-referral form:

Milton Keynes Mental Health Support Team in Schools (MHST)

MHST newsletter - May 25

Looking After Yourself

If things are getting you down, it’s important to recognise this. It is easy to go on struggling with very difficult situations because you feel that you should be able to cope and should not need any help, but the truth is - we all need help from time to time. Come and talk and let us know when things are tough. We may be able to help, or signpost you in the best direction. This includes referrals to Early Help (external), which provides tailored support for families facing a variety of challenges.

Useful Links

https://www.mind-blmk.org.uk/ Supporting Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing.

Young Minds

Place2Be

Arthur Ellis

The following links provide useful information and support for young people who have suffered a bereavement:

Supporting bereaved children and young people

Children, young people and grief - Cruse Bereavement Support

Harry's Rainbow