At Millfield, we are committed to supporting the positive mental health and wellbeing of our whole school community (children, staff, parents and carers). We recognise that mental health and emotional wellbeing is just as important to our lives as physical health.

We endeavour to ensure that children are able to manage times of change and stress. We aim to ensure that they are supported to reach their potential or access help when they need it. We also have a role in ensuring that children learn about: what they can do to maintain positive mental health; what affects their mental health; how they can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and where they can go if they need help or support.

At Millfield we have designated leaders for 'Mental Health and Wellbeing':

• Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader: Mrs Beth Taylor, Family Support Worker
• Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader: Mrs Sarah Brown, Deputy Head Teacher
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Governor: Ms Ciara O'Connor

What is Mental Health?

We all have mental health in the same way that we all have physical health. Throughout our lives our physical and mental health may fluctuate. Sometimes we feel fit and healthy, and at other times we may feel unwell, tired, stressed or anxious. Just as small changes like regular exercise and a healthy diet can have a positive impact on our physical health, so small changes can also positively impact our mental health.

Teaching about Mental Health

At Millfield we take a whole school approach to promoting positive mental health, aiming to help children become more resilient, happy and successful and to work in a pro-active way to avoid problems arising. We do this by:

• Creating and applying consistent ethos, policies and behaviours that support mental health and resilience, and which everyone understands.
• Adhering to Herts Steps therapeutic approach to behaviour management.
• Focusing on the 5 steps to wellbeing and ‘Zones of regulation’.
• Helping children to develop social relationships, support each other and seek help when they need it.
• Promoting self-esteem and ensuring children understand their importance in the World.
• Helping children to be resilient learners and to manage setbacks.
• Teaching children social and emotional skills and an awareness of mental health.
• Identifying children who have mental health challenges and planning support to meet their needs, including working with specialist services, parents and carers.
• Supporting and training staff to develop their skills and their own resilience.
• Developing an open culture where it is normal to talk about mental health. 

Parents and Carers

Parents or carers should approach their child/children’s class teacher if they have any mental health concerns. This will be cascaded to the Mental Health Leader for assessment. In addition to offering universal support within school, we may also discuss with you additional support mechanisms available to you from the following agencies:

• School Nursing Service  www.healthforkids.co.uk (Interactive website for children and parents)
• Step2
• CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)
• School Family Worker
• Play Therapist

5 Ways to Wellbeing

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.

1. Connect with other people

Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. They can:
·       help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth
·       give you an opportunity to share positive experiences
·       provide emotional support and allow you to support others

2. Be physically active

Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness. Evidence also shows it can also improve your mental wellbeing by:
·       raising your self-esteem
·       helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve them
·       causing chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood

3. Learn new skills

Research shows that learning new skills can also improve your mental wellbeing by:
·       boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem
·       helping you to build a sense of purpose
·       helping you to connect with others

Even if you feel like you do not have enough time, or you may not need to learn new things, there are lots of different ways to bring learning into your life.
 

4. Give to others

Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing by:
·       creating positive feelings and a sense of reward
·       giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth
·       helping you connect with other people

It could be small acts of kindness towards other people, or larger ones like volunteering in your local community.

5. Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)

Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.

Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”. Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

Mindfulness for kids

Please explore the Cosmic Kids Zen Den and Cosmic Kids Peace Out on YouTube for guided mindfulness activities that will help your child find a calm space in the day. 

Supporting the Mental Health of Children Through Creative Arts

The creative arts are an accessible and inclusive way of maintaining a sense of wellbeing and to express internal worlds. It’s something that can be done anywhere, with lots of little resources; with Lego, puppets, toys, paint, playdough, clay, collage, crayons, inks, sketch-pencils or biro. Even outdoors, with things found in nature, such as stones, sticks, leaves, shells and pinecones. The creative arts can be a tool to use for self-regulation, self-understanding and self-compassion. It is a hugely powerful way of communicating our experiences, to grow and to heal. 

Please click on the following icon for more information:

Mable Website

Anxiety & Trauma

Below is a guide to anxiety produce by our Mental Health Lead at Millfield, as well as other information that can support you with anxiety and trauma.

Loss and Bereavement

In the documents below you will find a list of books to support with loss and bereavement. Please choose the correct key stage for age appropriate books for your child. You can aslo find more information on supporting children through loss and bereavement at: www.childbereavementuk.org

COVID-19

Please find a video below that has been made by Hertfordshire's Educational Service especially for parents/carers.  It contains information about how best to support your child on returning to school after the long break.

Below are some useful links which can support you when talking to your child/ren about the Coronavirus. 

https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/ 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51342366

https://krisepsykologi.no/what-can-we-say-to-children-about-coronavirus/

https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/what-to-do-if-you-re-anxious-about-coronavirus/

Signposting:

www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/toolkit/every-mind-matters/

www.actionforhappiness.org

www.childmind.org

www.bbc.co.uk

www.youngminds.org.uk

www.childbereavementuk.org

www.bounceforward.com

Useful resources:

For your child:

• Healthy Young Minds in Herts website www.healthyyoungmindsinherts.org.uk
• Apps such as SAMAPP, What’s Up? And Breath2Relax for anxiety
• Child Line 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk

For you:

• The Wellbeing Service offers self-referral for emotional wellbeing support in relation to low mood and anxiety, including one-to-one and on-line support. This service is free and confidential. www.hpft.nhs.uk/well-beingservice
• Just Talk Parent Top Tips for getting your child talking www.justtalkherts.org
• Healthy Young Minds in Herts website www.healthyyoungmindsinherts.org.uk
• Mind in Mid Herts – courses on life skills such as coping with anxiety, stress, low self-esteem and depression for 16+ year olds.www.mindinmidherts.org.uk
• Samaritans – confidential support in a crisis 24/7, calls cannot be traced and won’t appear on your bill. CALL FREE 116 123.

Parenting Courses

Parenting courses are available through
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/parentingsupport

Friendship Ladders

We are very proud of the children for their focus during our Friendship Ladder morning on Friday 22nd October 2021. 

The children thought about 'We all have the right to feel safe all the time' and about their 'Network Hand'.

Please click on the document below to view what was shared with the children in Key Stage 1 and 2 throughout our Friendship Ladders morning.