Support for Parents and Carers
What is Mental health and Wellbeing?
We have a shared understanding of what mental health and wellbeing are at Brandwood:
- Mental health is how we feel about ourselves and our lives and how we cope with challenges. This will change depending on what is happening in our lives at that moment.
- Wellbeing is being comfortable, healthy and happy.
“Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” (World Health Organization)
Article 24 – “Every child has the right to the best possible health. Governments must provide good quality education on health and well-being so that children can stay physically and mentally healthy.” (UNCRC – The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child)
At our school we are committed to supporting and protecting the wellbeing of everyone in our school community: children, parents and carers, staff and governors. We are delighted that our efforts in a whole-school approach to wellbeing have been recognised by the Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS). The award, which we achieved in May 2020, ensures mental health and wellbeing sit at the heart of school life. It recognises that the wellbeing of all is the central principle of the school and the foundation on which all other developments are built upon. Strong relationships within the whole school community help support the wellbeing for all. Learners can talk confidently about different strategies to help them keep healthy, including talking about their feelings with both adults in school and their friends.