Mental Health Awareness Week

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Mental Health Awareness Week takes place between Monday 15th and Sunday 21st March May with the theme for this year being 'Anxiety'. 

We all know what to do when we have the cold or injury, but just like physical health, our mental health can become unwell too.   Mental health problems are very common. In fact, by the time they’re 16, three children in every classroom will have experienced a mental health problem (SAMH).  It is important to us that children understand what mental health is and know where they can access the right support at the right time, in a way that suits them.

We are delighted to be working in partnership with two organisations, SAMH and Kooth, to raise awareness of triggers, responses and supports across P.6 and P.7.  SAMH is the Scottish Association for Mental Health and was set up 100 years ago and now delivers over 70 services in communities across Scotland. Kooth is a service commissioned by the NHS, Local Authorities and charities to provide anonymous and personalised mental health support for children and young people.  Follow the links below to find out more about both organisations.

SAMH
Kooth

Today we welcome Kooth to lead workshops for P.6 and P.7.  At P.7 the session will focus on transition while at P.6 there will be an introduction to the supports and services that Kooth offer. 

On Monday 15th May, our P.6 and P.7 will participate in an ‘Understanding and Managing Stress and Anxiety’ workshop led by SAMH as part of their ‘Let’s Connect’ project.  The session supports children to develop an understanding of worry, stress and anxiety and to recognise the stress response (fight, flight, freeze).  They will also hear about how, where and when to seek help for anxiety and will learn new ways to feel calmer. 

Unless young people are emotionally well, they will find it harder to learn and, unless the adults in their lives feel informed about mental health, they won’t be equipped to support them when they need it.  With this in mind, we are delighted to invite you to attend the free SAMH online parent workshop “Managing Stress and Anxiety” on Wednesday 17th May from 7pm until 8.30pm. To book your space please email Leanne.ross@samh.org.uk.