Wellbeing Newsletter
Welcome to our new Wellbeing Newsletter which we will share with you over the year, and our Weekly Wellbeing Message!
WEEKLY WELLBEING MESSAGE - spending time with supportive people
SPENDING TIME WITH SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE
We all need people in our lives we can turn to when we’re struggling, whether for a deep discussion or just a chat. It can take the pressure off of needing to seem ‘okay’ just for a little bit because you know you can trust them. This could be a friend, family member, teacher or mentor- it doesn’t matter as long as you feel safe and able to be real with them. Sometimes we just need a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on, other times advice can be really helpful.
Sometimes I get myself into such a tangled mess in my brain that I just need someone to talk it out with. I don’t need an expert just someone to listen. There’s a teacher at my school who is really good to go to.
If you’re not sure who to go to that you trust or can’t think of anyone in your life at the moment why not contact your local voluntary centre. They often have lots of knowledge around local charities and there are lots of organisations out there that exist specifically to provide young people with mentors and people they can talk to.
In the video below, Dr. Roslyn Law gives some advice about how being around supportive friends and family or other trusted individuals can help you if you're feeling low or anxious or struggling with poor mental health:
What young people have said:
'I think it helped because if you spend time with the people who support and care about you then hopefully, like me, you won't feel as bad and you will feel like if you have a really bad day then you can always message or talk to them as you will feel like they are always there for you.'
'It is a really helpful way to try and reduce your worries/problems. A problem shared is a problem halved.'
'Having people around you who might know you're struggling and might not be able to engage as you'd like is really helpful. I don't always want to be alone but don't always feel like talking.'
'Try and surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you.'
Tips on Asking an Adult for Help
If you have a problem you can’t fix on your own, it’s a good idea to speak to an adult you trust (a ‘trusted adult’). Telling someone you need help isn’t always easy, but here is some advice to help you.
Wellbeing Newsletter No.9 - Tips on Asking an Adult for Help
Christmas Wellbeing
Just because it’s Christmas, it doesn’t mean your mental health and wellbeing has to be put on hold. A blogger on Young Minds has some useful tips for looking after yourself over the festive period.
When does Banter become Bullying?
What is banter? Banter is the harmless exchange of social interaction between friends which involves teasing or mocking one another, either on a one-to-one basis for more commonly on a friendship group basis.
But when does banter become bullying?
Loneliness
You don’t need to be physically alone or cut off to feel lonely. You might be surrounded by other people. But it can feel like you’re on your own or that no one understands how you feel. Loneliness can make us feel down. And if you feel like this, you can get help.
Returning to School After the Holidays
School is a big part of life, so it is important to feel happy there. Going back to school after the holidays can bring up lots of feelings. You may be happy to go back! But if you’re scared or anxious, there are things you can do to make it better.
Wellbeing Newsletter No.5 - Returning to School after the Summer Holidays
Perfectionism
Perfectionism is a personality trait which occurs when an individual places themselves under high levels of pressure to meet high expectations.
The Importance of Good Sleep
Regularly getting a good night’s sleep is crucial to ensuring we enjoy good mental health.
When we don’t get good sleep, it can contribute to various problems, including depression and anxiety. But it can sometimes feel hard to achieve amid the pressures of daily life.
Wellbeing Newsletter No.3 - Sleep
Self Esteem and Believing in Yourself
Self-esteem is how we think, see and feel about ourselves. It isn’t just about how we physically look but also how confident we feel.
Good self-esteem means we feel good about ourselves and confident in who we are and in our abilities. When we have good self-esteem, we’re not too worried about what other people think, or how much we get wrong, because we accept ourselves just the way we are, without judgement. It also means we believe we are worthy and deserving of all the good things in life.
But sometimes, we might find it hard to believe in ourselves and feel good enough. That’s okay - it’s normal to struggle with our self-esteem and this can change at different times in our lives.
Wellbeing Newsletter No.2 - Self-Esteem and Believing in Yourself
Dealing with Change
Change is an inevitable part of life, and school! We’re coming to the end of the academic year which brings change for all of you in school as you will be moving up a year group or leaving Kendrick, having a new tutor, and Year 9 and Year 11 will be starting their GCSEs or A Levels. Some of you may also be dealing with other changes - maybe in your family, moving home or relationships.
Change can be hard to cope with, especially if you're not feeling prepared for it. But there are ways you can feel more in control and we will share these with you over the term.
In the meantime, you might like to watch this video on Dealing with Change from Rise Above.
For information and practical tips from Young Minds to help parents and carers to support their child or young person during a time of transition or change please click here.
It’s natural to need time to adjust to a change. You might feel surprised, happy or even angry and that’s okay. Feelings can pass in time, but give yourself time and keep doing things to feel better. Distracting yourself when you are feeling low or overwhelmed can help you feel better.
There are lots of ways to feel calmer. It is about finding what works for you. Try some breathing exercises, activities, games and videos to help let go of stress.
Visit the Childline Calm Zone for information on:
Activities and tools
Breathing exercises
Expressing yourself
Yoga videos
Play games
Ways to cope videos
Wellbeing Newsletter No.1 - Dealing with Change