Mental health and wellbeing
Feeling a certain amount of concern or worry is natural when we encounter difficult or unsettling times. We would like to support wherever we can, from mindfulness practice to safeguarding and homeworking during COVID-19. We've pulled together the below resources suitable for teachers, parents and young people.
Please remember, if you're feeling overwhelmed with difficult thoughts, to always talk to someone. If you're a student, talking to your family/parent/guardian or your close friends can help. If you're undertaking any therapy currently, always check in with them first before doing any of the practices suggested below.
Support for children & young people
We are aware of the impact such difficult times can have on children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Day-to day-lives have changed for most people and many children may be struggling with the significant changes. We are focused on supporting children’s wellbeing during this time. We’ve pulled together a list of resources and support to
help children if they are feeling anxious during this stressful time.
Useful resources:
- Wellbeing journal for kids - Outside the Box has produced a free activity journal to help children to enhance their mental wellbeing through a range of activities.
- Childline - provides support and information about Coroanvirus which updated regularly.
- Childline Kids - Content targeted to under 12's.
- Childline Calm Zone - For breathing exercises, activities, games and videos to help let go of stress.
- Children's Commissioner - A Children’s guide to coronavirus.
Safeguarding & concerns
For concerns about children who may be struggling with their mental health or anxiety, NSPCC have advice to help you support them.
You can also take a look at the dedicated COVID-19 space and another useful page featuring support and tips to help you keep children safe, from advice on children’s mental health to staying safe online, support for parents and what actions to take if you’re worried about a child.
Our Mindfulness support
It's natural to be feeling some worry and anxiety at the moment, so this webinar is designed to explain how our brains work during such times and how mindfulness can help ground and anchor us.
Practising mindfulness at times like these can help to rewire the brain to work in calmer and more positive ways. To get you started, we've pulled together the below resources, which will introduce mindfulness techniques that you can practice at school or at home and are suitable for teachers, parents and young people.
For a great introduction into mindfulness take a look at our Mindfulness for Unsettling Times guide here you will find a helpful introductory practice for teachers and parents that can be used with children and students.
This video, Mindfulness during unsettling times gives an introduction to mindfulness and explains how it can help rewire the brain to work in calmer and more positive ways.
Guided introductory practice
Our First steps to Mindfulness document explains what mindfulness is and how you can start to begin to practice it in your everyday life.
Mindfulness webinars
Pearson's Mindfulness Lead, Ashley Lodge, and his co-teacher Lisa Wren, have provided a free one-hour introduction to mindfulness, explain the neuroscience and psychology underpinning it and lead a basic practice/meditation so you can experience directly how mindfulness works.
Watch the latest webinar recording - Mindfulness during unsettling times for teachers and parents
A guided mindfulness practice
Related to the above video, this audio file gives you an excellent introduction to mindfulness through a practice called Breath and Body.
Listen to our guided introductory practice (Breath and Body) audio file
Apps for stress and wellbeing
The are many rescources and apps that aim to reduce stress and help with wellbeing and anxiety. Here are a few we recommend:
Education Support Helpline
There can be many stresses on those who work in education - a challenging student, stress & depression, personal financial worries and so many more. That’s why Education Support offer free, confidential help and support. Visit the Education Support website to discover the confidential helpline and all the resources they have to offer.
