Mental Health Awareness Week 2024

A message from Senior Sister Paula Edwards, and Emotional & Wellbeing Practitioner Roz Lester.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the focus is on being active, being in nature, and connecting or making friendships. The key thing is that 'looking after yourself' will be different for each of us. For me, it is speed walking on my iFIT, socialising with my friends old and new, watching Grey's Anatomy on the TV, and drinking good coffee. For you, it will be different things. What does 'looking after yourself ' look like for you?

Sometimes, finding out what helps us feel good can be about being open-minded to try new things, having a go, and maybe getting it wrong a few times before we get it right. This can feel weird and scary, and even take us right out of our comfort zone. Only you can decide.

Some anxiety-busting tips are:

• Breathe slowly
• Believe it will pass
• Don't feed your worries
• Refocus your mind
• Calming self-talk ( ‘you can do this’)
• Don't label it (feeling worried does not always mean a panic attack)
• Write it down
• Talk to a friend/staff or family member.

There are some links that can help too:

• https://www.kooth.com is a free online counselling service for students. It is monitored, safe, and anonymous where you can log your mood, participate in group forum discussions, set goals, and access online counselling with qualified professionals.
• https://www.compass-uk.org/services/compass-phoenix/
• https://www.themix.org.uk
• https://www.youngminds.org.uk

A message from Lulu (LVI)

My name is Lulu, I will be taking on the role of Deputy Head Girl (Wellbeing) next September.

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and it’s time to break the stigma, amplify voices and start the conversation.

This week allows us to celebrate the strength it takes to seek help, the courage it takes to speak out and the beauty of supporting one another.

A few things YOU can do this week to nurture your mental health:

• Connect with loved ones: reach out to friends and family.
• Take time for yourself to do the things you love!
• Stay active: physical activity can boost your mood and reduce stress
• Seek support: It’s OKAY to ask for help - whether that means getting professional help or reaching out to a friend/family member. Support is always available.
  
• Remember, it’s okay to not be okay. Reach out for help and support. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

I, for one, am always here to chat! Please don’t hesitate to send me an email or come and find me in Cloisters.

All the best,

Lulu