Positive steps to mental wellbeing
Aim of this lesson: Find positive, long-lasting coping strategies to deal with difficult emotions.
Your ideas and suggestions from today’s lesson will be used to help improve provision for student wellbeing. Your wellbeing is important to us!
How would you describe mental wellbeing? Discuss in your group and write down your ideas.
In your opinion, what things can get in the way of mental wellbeing? Discuss and write down.
What words would you associate with the word ‘stress’?
Stress
Clapton Girls’ Academy uses the NHS 5 steps for wellbeing. Do you know what they are? Write them down. They are on page 138 of your student planner.
Research has shown that: ďƒź Connecting with others and building relationships can build a sense of belonging. ďƒź Being around people with strong mental wellbeing can increase our own sense of wellbeing.
“ “The internet is bad for your mental wellbeing.” s s u c s i D
Is the internet bad for your mental wellbeing? The internet can help you to connect with others.
Not everyone on the internet has positive mental wellbeing. Ask yourself the question “Is this person I’m connecting with, or this information I am reading, going to help me to have positive mental wellbeing?”
In your group, work out how many online contacts you have between you? How many do you have as a whole class?
Why is it that you can have hundreds of contacts online but still feel very alone?
You might feel alone but there are people who love you, care about you and who can help you. If you feel alone, be brave and talk to someone.
Joining a club is a good way to connect with others. Are there clubs not on the list which you would like? Write them on your sheet. You can also see Ms Meyer in R46 (next to PE) – it might be possible. Are you too shy to go to clubs? Your Head of Year can help you with this.
All of these staff are specifically trained to keep you safe. All staff at Clapton Girls’ Academy will know what to do if you tell them that you feel alone or unsafe. Be brave – talk to someone.
List some of the benefits of being active:
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve your mental health. Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety and more. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts overall mood.
Get off the tube or bus one stop earlier and walk. Plan extra time for this, though, so you’re not late for school.
There are lots of sports clubs every day. Speak to anyone in the PE team or your Head of Year if you need help joining one.
Learning something new is associated with a sense of deep satisfaction and optimism. It can also be a way of connecting you with other people and increasing physical exercise at the same time.
The University of Derby Student Wellbeing team wanted to let students know how their emotional and mental wellbeing can affect their ability to learn. They made an animation fitting with their existing "Love Your Mind" brand which you might also find useful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urug-OpmdPo
Practise this relaxation technique. Breathe in for 7
Breathe out for 11
g n i s a e l e r s s re e. t s s is i h c t r exe Try
Try mu relax scle ing s a i n one you ll the at a r bo tim dy e.
Watch the video again and write down two useful pieces of information or advice. 1. 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urug-OpmdPo
Did you know that there is a wellbeing section in the Learning Resource Centre? Ms Rothman is looking for students to read and write a review of a wellbeing book to support other students when looking for books. Interested? Write your names in the box on your sheet.
Doing something positive for someone else’s mental wellbeing can help you to feel good about yourself at the same time.
This Christmas, as a tutor group, you could consider collecting gifts for a Christmas charity instead of (or even as well as) doing Secret Santa in your tutor group. Many charities even accept second-hand gifts which means that even if your family does not have a lot of money to buy extra presents at the moment, you can still do something positive for someone else. You can discuss this with your Form Tutor.
Being mindful means taking notice of the things around you, what you do, how you think and how you live, and making sure these are positive.
What things can you be mindful of to improve your mental wellbeing? Try to think of things we have not already discussed.
Keep a note of when your period is as these can affect your mood. Try to stay calm and tell yourself that in a couple of days when your period is over you will feel better about things.
Poor food and drink choices will have a negative impact on your health, including your mental health, as will taking drugs, drinking alcohol and smoking. Try to think about the longterm effects of unhealthy habits on your body and health, including your mental health, not just on how they make you feel at that moment in time.
Aim of this lesson: Find positive, long-lasting coping strategies to deal with difficult emotions. What have you learned today about positive, long-lasting coping strategies?
Which two tips would you give to someone to help them achieve positive mental wellbeing?
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