Mental Health Week

The week (1st-7th February) was Children's Mental Health Week. This year more than any other, it is so important to be thinking about our own mental health and that of others.

Lockdown has bought stresses and strains as well as affecting everyone's mental health in different ways.

The theme for Children's Mental Health Week this year was "Express Yourself", which is something that we all need to be finding creative ways to do at the moment!

During tutor time, students discussed how they might improve their own mental health and how they might try and "express themselves" a little more while in lockdown. They were also sent a different new activity they could

try each day to work on their own mental health and expressing themselves some of the activities were:

• Pick a quotation that means something to you
• Choose a quotation about self-expression that resonates with you. This could have been said by a famous person, or selected from a song or book, etc.

Then think about the following questions:

• How does this quote make you feel? What does it make you think of? What colours or shapes reflect how you feel
• when you read this quote?
• Write a daily journal
• Keep a daily journal in which you write about whatever comes to mind. It can be helpful to carry around an ideas book with you. Jotting down your thoughts can also help you to problem-solve.

Make an inside out box

• Decorate a box with images and words on the outside to represent the qualities you show to the world.
• Decorate the inside of the box with images and words that represent the inner qualities, interests and passions that are hidden to most people.

Now think about why we all do this and what stops us sharing all of ourselves with others.

SING!

• Sing songs either alone or with your friends via Zoom or video call. Choose songs that focus on self-expression and being your authentic self.
• Understanding dance as a form of self-care
• Dancing can be used as a way to de-stress, join together and express your identity. You could use Zoom or video call to make up fun dances together with your friends. Remember the focus is on having fun and expressing yourself — not on being the world’s best dancer!