“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” Buddha
After what could certainly be considered a tumultuous few years, this quote commonly attributed to Buddha has never been more appropriate. We need to look after ourselves. The need to understand our feelings and make sense of these feelings as we live our daily lives is vital to our wellbeing. The UK charity YoungMinds reports that nearly half a million young people are being referred for mental health problems every month, with many not being able to get the support they need. As teachers, we are in a prime position to help open up and develop the discussion on mental health and wellbeing, so that our learners learn the habit of talking openly about mental health and learning how to cope with their feelings, or how to seek further help.
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health is how we feel, think and behave – based on our thoughts and emotions. Our mental health affects how we function in our world, how we relate to other people and the choices we make in our lives. However our mental health can change according to the circumstances we find ourselves in at home, at school or at work. The Mental Health Foundation Scotland states that mental health problems cost the Scottish economy at least £8.8 billion annually and that 72% of this is due to the lost productivity of people living with mental health conditions and costs incurred by unpaid informal carers. When our physical health needs attention it’s quite acceptable for us to talk about it and, without hesitation, we visit a nurse, doctor, dentist, optician or other health care professional. Taking care of our mental health, talking about it and seeking out the correct help and advice needs to be equally acceptable.
Why Do We Need a World Mental Health Day?
World Mental Health Day takes place on the 10th of October every year to raise awareness about mental health and to support anyone experiencing issues with their mental health. Every year since 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) has organised a global campaign for World Mental Health Day. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2023, is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’. Public Health Scotland agrees that mental health and wellbeing should be a priority and that this would have a positive effect on so many different aspects of society.
How Can I Raise Awareness about World Mental Health Day with My Learners?
According to Mental Health Foundation Scotland, there are no quick fixes for good mental or physical health. It goes on to say what works is developing healthy habits in our daily lives, that help us to feel ok and able to cope with whatever life throws at us. We can encourage and develop healthy habits and resilience in the classroom with the help of the activities listed below.
At Early Level, these Managing My Emotions Worksheets give learners suggestions for strategies to cope with different feelings and asks them to think about strategies of their own. Drama is a great way to explore emotions in the Early Years and these Emotions Drama Challenge Cards give the opportunity to talk about feelings and how we might deal with these feelings – as well as having some fun!
At First Level, use this What Is Mental Health? Powerpoint to guide the discussion about mental health and how learners can look after their mental health. These Thoughts and Emotions Blether Stations also give learners the chance to talk about feelings with their peers.
At Second Level, An Introduction to Mental Health Powerpoint introduces the topic and suggests ways to cope with some mental health problems. These Managing Emotions and Conflict Blether Stations provide learners with situations involving traditional tale and nursery rhyme characters so they can discuss how feelings and emotions could be coped with in these situations.
This Mindful Moments Yoga Stretches Powerpoint helps learners at all levels to develop mindful habits and relax.
Since this year’s theme is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’, we wanted to highlight some of our resources focusing on human rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Why not check out our Scottish Events Calendar with Global Goals and UNCRC Overview 2023-2024 to help you plan how you can incorporate human rights into your teaching?
For your Early Level learners we have this fantastic Let’s Learn About Children’s Rights Fact File that helps introduce them to what their rights are. You might also use this UNCRC Children’s Rights Child-Friendly Language PowerPoint to help explain their rights in an age appropriate way.
First Level learners will love these Children’s Rights Child-Friendly Flashcards and used alongside our All About the UNCRC PowerPoint they’ll help ensure your learners understand what they can expect from the adults in their life.
For Second Level learners we have created this Understanding the UNCRC for Learners – Podcast and Script to help introduce learners to the background of the the UNCRC and what the Conventions mean for them. We also have this An Introduction to the UNCRC PowerPoint to help you discuss rights with yout learners.
At Twinkl there are many more resources available at Early, First and Second Levels that help promote good mental health and wellbeing. Why not spend some time on World Mental Health Day developing good habits and making mental health and wellbeing the priority in your school or classroom?
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