World Mental Health Day - 10th October ‘mental health for all'
This year World mental health day falls on Saturday 10th October. This year’s theme is ‘mental health for all’. It comes at a time when our daily lives have changed considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Being in good mental health means you can:
- Make the most of your potential
- Cope with life
- Play a full part in your family, community, school and friends
Mental health can be referred to as ‘emotional health’ or ‘wellbeing’ and is equally as important as physically health. Mental health problems range from the worries we all experience as part of everyday life to more long-term conditions.
Things that can help keep young people mentally well include:
- Being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise
- Having time and the freedom to play, indoors and outdoors
- Being part of a family that gets along well most of the time
- Going to a school that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils
- Taking part in local activities for young people
Other factors are also important, including:
- Feeling loved, trusted, understood, valued and safe
- Being interested in life and having opportunities to enjoy themselves
- Being hopeful and optimistic
- Being able to learn and having opportunities to succeed
- Accepting who they are and recognising what they are good at
- Having a sense of belonging in their family, school and community
- Feeling they have some control over their own life
- Having the strength to cope when something is wrong (resilience) and the ability to solve problems.
More Ideas to help
If you’re after more info or ideas about mental health, there’s plenty of great help out there. Young Minds has tips and real stories from other young people, as well as advice on coronavirus and mental health. The Mix has more advice about looking after yourself online when it comes to stress or worries from social media, as well as a whole section to help you with your sleep. You can check out the Anna Freud Centre for information about exercise as mental self-care Childline’s Calm Zone has a load of ideas to help you chill out, de-stress and embrace the calm. And if you’re worried about COVID, it can really help to know the facts. The government has social distancing guidance written specifically for you.
Support available
Support is also available with your school nurse at your scheduled drop in session Young people can contact their school nurse in confidence by text. Please visit the chat health page.
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