Supporting Your Wellbeing

It is thought about one third of all children and young people live with a parent with mental ill-health, around 7% of which live in lone-parent households. For some, the presence of mental ill-health may have little or no impact on the day-to-day parenting that they receive, with the child / young person remaining safe and feeling loved and valued. For others however the impact may be more significant, meaning that the child / young person requires help and support to understand what is going on and reduce the impact on their health and development. 

It can be hard to talk to about mental health but it’s important to try. Talking to a friend, a family member, your GP or come and talk to someone in school you trust. 

“There is no health without Mental Health.” (WHO)

Everyone has mental health, just as they have health. Health is not on an ON/OFF switch and everyone, throughout their daily life, will face challenges with their mental health just as they will their physical health.

“GOOD MENTAL HEALTH ISN’T ABOUT FEELING HAPPY AND CONFIDENT 100% OF TIME AND IGNORING ANY PROBLEMS. IT’S ABOUT LIVING AND COPING WELL DESPITE PROBLEMS.”

At FA we can support our young people if things get tricky- however developing a strong sense of wellbeing throughout a child’s development from an early age, will help increase resilience and bolster mental health for when additional demands and challenges will inevitably be faced.  

We aim to embed lots of what we know about wellbeing into our school ethos and daily functioning.  We base lots of what we do, and how we do it, on the most recent research from reliable sources including five ways to wellbeing, as endorsed by the NHS.

1. Make connections
2. Be active
3. Learn new skills
4. Give to others
5. Be mindful

( https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing/ )

SUPPORT AVAILABLE AT SCHOOL

• We also have a School Welfare/Safeguarding Officer in place. She sees pupils via a formal referral system accessed through the pastoral team
• We also have a Well-being Consultants working in partnership with Fakenham Academy. These will be signposted if required through the pastoral team
• We have signed up for stopping ‘period poverty’ and female hygiene items are available from the Pastoral team.
• We also have well-being literature in the Pastoral Office where there are information leaflets for many external providers.

HOW TO HELP YOURSELF

• Sleep – Sleep is vital to wellbeing. It is essential to process the activities and dispose of toxins built up over the day. Teens need between 8 and 10 hours every night.
• Use of your phone/ tablet/ computer – Use of your phone has links with depression, anxiety and self-esteem issues. The exposure to a blue screen before going to sleep is known to disturb sleep cycles.
• Fuelling your body – Eating a balanced diet and drinking sufficient amounts of water is crucial to the healthy physical function of your body
• Kindness – You get back what you give out. Sometimes a tiny act of kindness can result in an improved state of mental health

We are here to support you. If you are worried in any way or have an issue you need help with, please let us know. 

If you have a worry or an issue you can speak to any member of staff you feel comfortable speaking to, but for each Year Group we have a dedicated Progress Leader and Student Support Leader. They are responsible for; 

• your mental health and wellbeing 

• your safeguarding 

• monitoring behaviour and attendance 

• celebrating your success and encouraging you to achieve even more 

• working together with you and your family to overcome any obstacles 

• monitoring your progress in lessons and supporting you to reach your potential 

• supporting you with any welfare issues and being someone you can talk to 

Who can I speak to outside the academy? 

At times you might find the need to speak to someone during the evening, at weekend or during the holidays. If you feel that you may need help from someone outside of school, please see below for some useful links to information from other sources. 

Childline 

Kooth

Compass