Mental Health and Well-Being
Mental Health and Well-Being
Welcome to the Parents' section created for you and your children.
All staff at Golden Valley take the well-being of our children seriously. All staff have received levels of training to enable them to both nurture and keep your children safe.
Mr Riordan, as Headteacher, is the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead, whilst Mrs Dean, Mr Hamilton and Mrs Watkins are the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.
Mrs Denning is the Safeguarding Link Governor.
Mrs Watkins-David is the school's Learning Mentor and she meets children and their parents to help advise on well-being matters.
Mr Riordan, Miss Darvill (Y2 Classteacher) and Mrs Watkins-David (Learning Mentor) have trained as Youth Mental Health First Aiders.
Mr Hamilton (SENDCo) is our Mental Health Champion and lead and will be overseeing the school's mental health support and education.
All PHSE lessons are taught by class teachers and these lessons can be used as a space for children to share their worries.
❤ Children's Mental Health Week ❤ - February 7-13 2022. In addition to Health & Relationships Education (HRE) this week, children across the school are learning about the typical range of feelings we all experience in everyday life - and that all our feelings are ok. We are using the Big Life Journal resource attached.
North Somerset Council have produced a leaflet '5 Ways to Wellbeing' with small steps to look after your own and your child's emotional health.
Strategies and Tips for Dealing With Anxiety
It is not uncommon for children to suffer with anxiety. There are some useful documents to read that we have uploaded for you below.
There is a lovely letter addressed 'Dear You...' signed from your brain. It is a great read for older children but can be explained in simpler terms by an adult to a younger child.
'The Gradual Exposure' document shows a ladder of how to chunk in a manageable way the fear or worry that an anxious child would normally seek to avoid.
Books To Help With Children's Anxieties
'What to do when you worry too much' by Dawn Huebner, PHD.
This book is suitable for both Key Stages 1 and 2 and is a kid's guide to overcoming anxiety.
'Starving the Anxiety Gremlin' by Kate Collins-Donnelly
This book is printed for children aged 5-9 and there is another book printed for older children and teenagers.
'The Unworry Book' from Usborne
This is an activity book that has many fun and helpful things for children to complete without needing supervision. It has doodling pages, joke pages, rip it and breathing exercises. It is most suitable for children for children aged 7 or over as they can enjoy completing it alone as a way of self-soothing.
'The Invisible String' by Patrice Karst
This is a therapeutic story that can be used for separation anxiety, It is a lovely story that can be comforting in many ways.
Below is a link to a video of Mrs Morrison reading 'The Invisible String'.
Bereavement
Sadly some of our children and the families suffer the death of a loved one. School staff will always ensure that the bereaved child is treated with sensitivity and extra care during this traumatic time in their lives. There are some lovely children's books that may comfort your child at this time. Mrs Morrison is available to support any child who has suffered a bereavement.
'Badger's Parting Gift' by Susan Varley
'The Day the Sea Went Out and Never Came Back' by Margot Sunderland.
Separation and Divorce
It is not uncommon for families in our school community to suffer the emotional turmoil of separation and divorce. It is always useful to share this with an adult in school as it helps us to be more aware of the child's emotional needs and behaviour at this time.
The following book will help children understand separation and divorce:
'My Family's Changing' by Pat Thomas
General Information
Useful Websites
YoungMinds Parents Helpline 0808 802 5544 which is free. Available Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm.
Parent Email: parents@youngminds.org.uk
YoungMinds is the UK's leading charity committed to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people and empowering their parents and carers.
Telephone 0800 1111
Childline is a counselling service for parents/carers, children and young people.
www.annafreud.org
Telephone 0207 794 2313
Email: info@annafreud.org
Anna Freud is a children's mental health charity providing specialist help and training; they also carry out research.
www.headspace.com
This website teaches mindfulness meditation principles to improve mental health and well-being.
www.supportiveparents.org.uk
Providing the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIAS) for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Email: support@supportiveparents.org.uk
Information, Advice and Support Line: 0117 989 7725
9.30am - 4.30pm
Monday - Friday
SHOUT - text 'shout' to 85258 for 24/7 crisis text support