Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Wellbeing Policy 2024

Good mental health and well-being are essential for all of us to lead fulfilling lives, to realise our full potential, to participate productively in our communities, and to demonstrate resilience in the face of stress and adversity. (WHO 2021)

Good mental health is the ability to respond well to the challenges in everyday life.  At St Joseph’s we consider what shapes a person’s mental health, this includes, protective factors such as our families, friends and self-efficiency. Risk factors which may impact a healthy mind and responses to difficult situations we face. We aim to promote and preserve good mental health and protect and educate against the impact of risk factors and difficult situations.

At St Joseph’s we believe that good mental health for our children can lead to improved attainment, attendance, reductions in behavioural problems, as well as happier, more confident and resilient young person.

We are committed to promoting, preserving and protecting the mental health of our whole community; children, staff members and the families that can support the overall success of each child getting the best experience at school and helping them flourish. We believe that a positive and supportive environment is essential for the overall well-being and academic success of everyone in our school community.

Our intent is to create a culture that prioritises mental health, where every child, family and staff member feels safe, valued, and supported. Through a whole school approach, we aim to provide the necessary resources, education, and interventions to foster positive mental health outcomes for all.

Promotion

We will actively promote mental health awareness and understanding throughout our school. This will include regular initiatives, training, and educational programs that address various aspects of mental health. We will encourage open dialogue and de-stigmatise mental health discussions to create a supportive and inclusive environment. We have chosen eight principles to promoting a whole school approach to mental health and well being as our tool for ensuring that we have an effective approach to developing the mental health of all in our school community. Promoting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Preservation

St Joseph’s will always react to poor mental health for pupils, staff and families whilst still being dedicated to preserving good mental health by implementing strategies that nurture emotional well-being and resilience for all, not just those who are in immediate need. Our curriculum will incorporate social-emotional learning activities and mindfulness practices to enhance emotional regulation, self-awareness, and empathy among all students. We will also provide opportunities for physical activity, creative expression, and play, which are vital for mental health preservation. We are committed to protecting the mental health of our children and staff members. Our school will have a robust support system in place, including regular training, Early Help, positive relationships and communication with parents, and pastoral care from all staff who can provide guidance and assistance when needed. We will ensure consistency, confidentiality and privacy, creating a safe space for individuals to seek help and support.

Protection

We aim to create a safe and calm environment where mental health problems are less likely, improving the mental health and wellbeing of the whole school population and equipping pupils to be resilient so that they can manage the normal stress of life effectively. This will include teaching pupils and staff about mental wellbeing through the curriculum and reinforcing this teaching through school activities and ethos.

We recognise that promoting, preserving, and protecting mental health is a collective effort. We will actively engage parents, caregivers, and the wider community in our initiatives. We will provide regular communication, staff training and resources to help parents understand and support their child’s mental health. We will collaborate with external organisations and experts to bring in specialised knowledge and resources.

Useful links for parents

Please see below some useful Mental Health and Wellbeing links for parents and students.