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 can 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':
Mrs Beth Taylor, Family Support Worker
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:
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 available to you from the following agencies:
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:
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
Signposting: Please click on the icon to take you to the website
Useful resources:
For your child:
For you:
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.