This week has been mental health awareness week. This is an annual event and encourages people in the UK to focus on achieving good mental health. The theme this year has been ‘anxiety’. Sometimes to help someone who is experiencing high levels of anxiety, we need to show kindness. Think about what will help them. What will reduce their stress levels?
We sat with some teaching assistants yesterday and were talking about the number of children who are presenting with high levels of anxiety, particularly since Covid. In primary schools:
- There are children who are finding it really difficult to separate from their mum, dad, or carer each morning.
- There are children who find themselves worrying about things that are seemingly tiny to others.
- There are children who hurt themselves or destroy their clothes or belongings while trying to deal with their big feelings.
- There are children who are anxious due to their sensory needs.
- There are children who have lived in a home where violence and abuse are the norm; they worry about what happens when they are at school.
- There are children who worry about money and debt at home because they are overhearing adult conversations.
- There are children who do not know if they will be fed when they get home.
These children may appear distracted, they may present with very challenging behaviours, they may be withdrawn, or they could shut down, emotionally. Some children will hide their feelings throughout the day but then when they get home from school, they let out their frustration or anger.
Talk to the children you are supporting. Help them deal with the thing that is making them really anxious by getting them to talk and accept your help. Some solutions will be simple e.g., a visual timetable, a Now and Next board or a chart counting down the days until an event. Some will be more difficult to solve but you might be able to reassure an anxious child by allowing them to have a phone call with their mum at lunchtime or by allowing them to carry a piece of their clothing e.g., a scarf with them. Have a photo displayed of who will be collecting them from school if this causes them anxiety. Listen to the children you are supporting and find what would work for them.
What better book to help you feel more positive when you are feeling down than ‘The Boy, The Mole and The Horse’ by Charlie Macksey:
‘When the big things feel out of control …. focus on what you love right under your nose.’
‘When the dark clouds come ….. keep going.’
‘Nothing beats kindness,’ said the horse. ‘It sits quietly beyond all things.’
Mental Health Week is important to raise awareness but try to think like this every day all year, even when children are displaying challenging behaviour within your school.
Reach Behaviour 