Mental Health Awareness is ongoing at NGHS, not just for this particular week, but always. Mrs Tilley is our Wellbeing Co-ordinator and here she decribes her role in her own words:

I’ve worked at NGHS as a Chemistry teacher for over 10 years and started my role as Wellbeing Coordinator at NGHS in September 2021.

My interest in psychological health and wellbeing began in 2016 when I was one of the first members of staff in the GDST to be trained as a Positive Educator. This taught me to be more aware of my state of mind and how it affects my thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Ever since then, I have been keen to find out more about emotional wellbeing and mental health and passionate about sharing simple tools and techniques with our school community, so that we can all maintain our mental wellness.

From an audit of wellbeing provision across students, staff and parents last year, three common themes were identified across the whole school community:

> A desire for further information and education on wellbeing and mental health issues.

> A need for clear advice and signposting for young people and those that support them on where to get help if you are struggling with your mental health and wellbeing.

> A feeling that we need to further open up the conversation around mental health and wellbeing at NGHS.

So this is the framework I have been working within since then.

Here at NGHS we take a proactive approach to managing mental health and wellbeing.

Meaning that everyone receives an education in looking after their mental health, just as they do in PE lessons about looking after their physical health.

We teach and model tools, strategies, and programs designed to help people feel and stay well.

These strategies and tools are shared through:

  • Termly assemblies for students and briefings for staff
  • PSHE lessons
  • Weekly ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ emails sent out to all staff
  • Regular newsletter articles sent home to parents, alongside parental seminars at tutor evenings in the Autumn term

We all have mental health that is constantly changing. My wellbeing role is to not only provide strategies to maintain good mental health, but to recognize when people are struggling, listen to them and point them in the right direction to get the support that they need. Several staff are now Mental Health First Aiders and many more have completed the MHFA England Mental Health Awareness training.

As well as the regular in person support available to students and staff through the pastoral programme, signposting for further support both within and outside school is shared through:

  • Staff and student Google Sites and parent Firefly site
  • Posters in school toilets and common rooms and the staff room

One of the most powerful protective factors for our mental health and wellbeing is having meaningful connections with others. The strong pastoral system at NGHS helps to ensure that we can all work together to try to ensure early intervention for any wellbeing issues, identifying symptoms before they become more serious or chronic and taking steps to support people.

There are many opportunities to connect with others at NGHS and the Wellbeing Club is a safe and supportive space where we meet regularly and try different activities to help our mental health. Examples this year have included making worry dolls, affirmation keyrings, paper cutting for Chinese New Year and glass painting candle jars for Diwali. In addition to this club, which is open to staff and students, the staff enjoy a termly Wellbeing Breakfast.

I am really proud of the committed, compassionate and enthusiastic team of Mental Wellness Ambassadors that we established this year in Years 7 to 9 and of the Sixth Form Peer Educators who have taken a lead in training them. The Sixth Formers gave up their time to complete training from the Mental Health Foundation’s Peer Education Project, which encourages students to become teachers of a mental health curriculum. They taught the younger ambassadors about the risk and protective factors for our mental health, the 8 tips for good mental health, sources of support available for our mental health and how they might support their friends with their mental health. This is just the beginning of the project and I am excited to work with this fantastic group of students to develop the mental health and wellbeing provision in the school still further.

Another project for this year is the development of a ‘Wellbeing Hub’ at the heart of the school. I am thrilled that the Library Classroom is being transformed into a peaceful, multi-functional space. The décor is calm and homely and we are currently running a competition to design a mural for the wall, alongside having plants, scents and relaxing lighting that will make it into a haven of tranquillity in our busy community.

When it comes to our mental health, all situations are unique and we are constantly learning and adapting our approach to meet the needs of the students and staff. I count myself lucky to work in a school that allows me to develop my passion for emotional wellbeing and mental health and where I feel valued and supported to share this with others.