5 Ways to Wellbeing is based on research by Foresight’s ‘Mental capital and wellbeing’ project which considered how to improve everyone’s mental capital and mental wellbeing through life.
Evidence suggests that a small improvement in wellbeing can help to decrease some mental health problems and also help people to flourish. The published research by Foresight sets out 5 actions to improve personal wellbeing:
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Connect
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Be active
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Take notice
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Keep learning
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Give
How can I introduce a Wellbeing Programme at my school?
The National Children's Bureau acknowledge that the school environment can be extremely stressful for both teacher and pupil, which in turn can lead to poor emotional wellbeing and mental health.
In response to this they established the Partnership for Mental Health and Wellbeing in Schools, bringing together interested organisations to support, share and inform one another about what matters and what works for schools in supporting children and young people.
Building on what works they have produced a self-assessment and improvement tool for school leaders, to support them in implementing a whole school approach for emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Counselling by Nicola Stewart
5 Ways to Wellbeing
In July 2018 Government published a green paper entitled,
‘Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision’
This set out the need to help children and young people with their mental health. The report stated:
‘Childhood should be the happiest time in a person’s life, yet for thousands of children who develop mental illness in childhood or adolescence, the reality can be very different.’
One in ten (around 850,000) children and young people have a diagnosable mental health condition. These illnesses can have a devastating impact on their physical health, their relationships and their future prospects. The challenge often extends into a person’s adult life, with half of all mental health conditions beginning before the age of 14.’
The green paper set out a plan to support children’s mental health by:
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putting a mental health lead in every school by 2025
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having mental health support teams working with schools and colleges
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improving the understanding of mental health by exploring how social media and internet use affects the health of young people
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supporting families; and research on how to prevent mental health problems.
A whole school approach to Wellbeing
