Behaviour Support Plan: Good Practice

HOW ARE YOU FEELING ?

MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION PRIMARY SCHOOL PROJECT

'How are you feeling' is a Mental Health Promotion Project developed between Northwest Lancashire Health Promotion Unit and primary schools in the Blackpool, Preston, Fylde and Wyre areas. Local research has shown that despite curriculum guidance, few schools actively introduced mental health promotion into the curriculum or had working health policies which incorporated the mental well-being of pupils.

Over a six month period, the project brought together school children and teachers to raise awareness of mental health issues among young people and explore ways that schools can work on health promotion issues.

Children write poems, designed coats of arms containing their favourite aspects of life and looked at self-esteem and positive thinking, as well as anger and stress management. They were taught to feel good about themselves and how to deal with anger without bullying.One 10 year old said after one of the sessions:

'I have learned to say good things to people and think good things about myself. Sometimes you say things and don't realise just how upsetting they could be'.

The project works because it engages children and encourages them to challenge any negative feelings they may have. Mental health promotion specialist. Jude Stansfield, who organised the project, believes that they many negative external pressures on children need to be countered. She says' we want the children to take a step back and really think about what they say to each other'.

The Northwest Lancashire Health Promotion Unit can be contacted on 01253 699128. It is health authority funded.