Mental Health and Wellbeing

We encourage paying more attention to the present moment – to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you.

This can improve your mental wellbeing and this awareness is known as "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help us to enjoy life more and understand ourselves better. It is proven to improve a child's ability to focus and can be a great help in times of stress when used as a way to calm down.

We believe wellbeing is all about our holistic health including physical and emotional.

At St. Malachy's, we are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff to ensure that the school is a community where everyone feels able to thrive. Positive mental wellbeing is essential if children and young people are to flourish and lead fulfilling lives.

At our school, we know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.

Two key elements to support good mental health are:

Feeling Good – experiencing positive emotions like happiness, contentment and enjoyment, including feelings like curiosity, engagement and safety.
Functioning Well – how a person is able to function in the world, this includes positive relationships and social connections, as well as feeling in control of your life and having a sense of purpose.

Our role in school is to ensure that children are able to manage times of change and stress, and that they are supported to reach their potential or access help when they need it. Children are taught when to seek help, what help is available, and the likely outcome of seeking support so that they have the confidence and knowledge for themselves or others. We also have a role to ensure that children learn about what they can do to maintain positive mental health, what affects their mental health and how they can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. As part of our targeted provision, we have and continue to access, outside help and support for pupils when required.

We include Mental Health Awareness as part of our Personal Development curriculum across school.

Emotional Health and Wellbeing Links:

Useful Support Websites:

Useful Support Contact Numbers:

Women’s Domestic Violence – 0808 2000 247
Men’s Domestic Violence – 0808 801 0327
NSPCC 24hr free phone – 0808 800 5000
Childline – 0800 1111
Police (if not urgent) – 101
Women’s Refuge – 0845 155 1485
Social Services – 01422 393336