Mental Health Awareness Week

We have been celebrating mental health week. The theme is ‘Anxiety’, which is one of the most common mental health problems that people face. 1 in 6 children suffer from anxiety.

Staff have been learning what signs to look out for to recognise when a child might be struggling with anxiety.

On Thursday, we held an anxiety workshop with a small number of parents. We explored how to recognise anxiety in their child, different things that can make children feel anxious, as well as various ways parents can support their child through periods of anxiety.

Today everyone came to school dressed in green. The EYFS and KS1 children were investigating how being worried feels in their body. They read a story to further their understanding and practised different breathing techniques to use when they feel worried.

This afternoon some of the children in KS2 attended an anxiety workshop. They learned what anxiety is, what could cause it, body sensations, different thoughts and actions they might get when feeling anxious. We explored how to overcome anxious thoughts and think positively. The children each thought of a time when they were brave to help them believe in their ability to cope. In addition to this lots of useful strategies were learnt to support the children with managing anxiety.

If you are concerned your child might be feeling anxious and would like some support please contact Mrs Houston, elsa@williambyrd.school you can also visit What is Anxiety? | Symptoms of Anxiety & Getting Help | YoungMinds for further information.

Support for parent/carers anxiety can be found here Anxiety and panic attacks - Mind