By Luke McKenna

“Mental health…is not a destination, but a process.” – Noam Shpancer

Last week was Mental Health Week with World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October. At UPP we are passionately focused on teaching and developing good mental health in school communities. World Mental Health Day gives us an opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate how important our mental health is. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health “as a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community”.

So listed below are some ideas to raise awareness and teach the importance of looking after our mental wellbeing, not only for mental health week but for every opportunity we can make in our schools.

Create a Wellbeing Poster week – give students time during one lesson at school this week to design their own poster that reflects one aspect of Wellbeing and Positive Education that they have found to be helpful.
Quote sharing – Find a quote that is related to one aspect of Wellbeing and Positive Education and share it with your class, explaining why it resonates with you.
TED talks can be held in the school hall by teachers or students who wish to contribute on a topic within Wellbeing and Positive Education.
Watch the Disney Pixar movie ‘Inside Out’ (in the school hall during lunchtime for a week) and discuss the value of the different emotions, back in class.
Grow your mind day – choose one day each semester (or year) where students have an extended lunch and are encouraged to give something a go that they have never tried before. Invite staff or students with particular interests to set up activities for students and staff to have a go. It’s great when staff attempt the activities and model what you want to see from students.
Name the school fish or school bird in order to build community and connection – in guidance counsellor or Principal’s office, etc
Mindful Monday or Chilled Out Tuesday etc – start off each week by setting up a space with a number of mindful activities for staff or students to access at their leisure during one of the break times (or before/after school). Activities could include mandalas, guided meditation CD, mindful eating (bring your food and sit in quiet), gratitude (five finger gratitude, or journaling), BYO reading. It would be a silent space with different options in the room for people to enjoy, be mindful, find some space in their lives and centre themselves.

Click to find out more about our Primary school incursions our Secondary school incursions.