8th December
Snow-Camp have just launched a free virtual mental health service for young people.
Through our new campaign Stop.Breathe.Think young people can access free 1-1 counselling sessions via stopbreathethink.co.uk.
Youth workers, social workers, teachers and parents can also refer a young person via the same link.
We have also launched a text support service where young people can text BREATHE to 85258, to speak to one of our trained volunteers first. All volunteers are supported by experienced clinical supervisors.
What makes our support different?
- Our text service is available 24/7.
- Unlike many other free counselling services, there are no wait times and the young person/person referring someone is contacted within 24 hours.
- We have a team of 30 counsellors working with us who specialise in different issues. So, a young person can get the right targeted and specialised support from the start.
27th April
We are delighted to invite you and your pupils to attend an on-line webinar hosted by the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow:
This talk will focus on how public health can address exposure to light as an intervention to improve population health and wellbeing.
The webinar will be led by Linda Geddes, an award-winning British science journalist and author. She spent nine years working at New Scientist magazine as news editor, features editor and reporter, and remains a consultant to the magazine. Linda has received numerous awards for her journalism, including the Association of British Science Writers’ award for Best Investigative Journalism. Her most recent book “Chasing the Sun: The New Science of Sunlight and How it Shapes Our Bodies and Minds” explores the significance of sunlight, from ancient solstice celebrations to modern sleep labs, and the impact on public health of light-polluted cities and excessive exposure to bright lights from devices.
By clicking on the Eventbrite link below, you can register for the free webinar. On entry to the webinar your microphone would be muted and video turned off during the presentation, however, there would be an opportunity to put questions to the speaker as invited after the lecture.
This webinar would be suitable for school staff, parents and 5th or 6th year pupils who may be interested in this topic.
Linda Geddes
Title: Public Health Implications of the New Science of Sunlight
Date: 29 April 2020
Time: 1.30-2.30pm
Registration at: register here on Eventbrite for the Webinar link
23rd April
As we continue to be facing the challenges of living in a more socially isolating way, it is important that we continue to look after the wellbeing of ourselves and those we care about. With this in mind, we have included a few more resources that you might find useful in supporting you and your family.
- The Mental Health Foundation – Advice on saying at home and staying healthy
- The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families – Self care and supporting young people’s mental health during periods of disruption
- The NHS – Mental health helplines
If you would like to contact your child’s Pupil Support Advisor to discuss any pastoral matters, they can still be reached via school mail on: schoolmail@mearnscastle.e-renfrew.sch.uk
23rd April
Being concerned about Coronavirus is understandable and we are constantly being bombarded with news and up-dates on the pandemic. This continuous stream of information can take its toll as we worry about all the changes happening around us over which we might feel we have no control.
A lot of anxiety is rooted in worrying about the unknown and waiting for something to happen – so how can we protect our mental health?
- Stick to reliable sources for your news and limit your viewing
- Take a break from social media and unfollow or mute accounts which have triggers
- Stay connected with people –
o Staying in touch with those you care about will help maintain good mental health during long periods of self-isolation.
o Agree regular check-in times and feel connected to the people around you.
- Strike a balance between routine and variety
Avoid Burnout.
It’s important to have down-time, access nature and get some sunlight wherever possible.
Do Exercise – Eat Well – Stay Hydrated
If you are feeling things are getting on top of you, Anxiety UK ( https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/) suggests practicing the APPLE technique to deal with anxiety and worries:
Acknowledge: Notice and acknowledge the uncertainty as it has come to mind
Pause: Don’t react as you normally do. Don’t react at all. Pause and Breathe.
Pull Back: Tell yourself this is just the worry talking and this apparent need for certainty is not helpful and not necessary. It is only a thought or a feeling. Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts are not statements or facts.
Let Go: Let go of the thoughts or feelings. It will pass. You don’t have to respond to them. You might imagine them floating away on a bubble or a cloud
Explore: Explore the present moment, because right now, in this moment, all is well. Notice your breathing. Notice the ground beneath you. Look around and notice what you see, what you hear, what you can touch, what you can smell. Right Now. Then shift your focus to something else – on what you need to do, on what you were doing before you noticed the worry – or do something else – mindfully with your full attention.
“Go slowly. Breathe. Smile.” (Thich Nhat Hanh)
If you feel you need to speak to someone about any worries, then look into the support that Breathing Space can offer at https://breathingspace.scot/how-we-can-help/what-we-do/
30th March
It is important that we look after both our physical and mental wellbeing during these challenging times. Below are some resources that may be useful in supporting this and we hope they are helpful for everyone in our school community.
There are a number of these to choose from, which can in itself be overwhelming! So please dip in and out of whatever resonates with you. Keep an eye on the school website over the coming weeks in case there are any other resources being updated on there. You can also access the school’s Be Kind To Your Mind Document on the link above.
Below is some general advice for looking after yourself if working from home:
Tips and Ideas
- Set your working times and stick to them. This includes breaks and lunches.
- When you are due to start work, try and leave the house and go for a walk around the block first.
- Keep the TV switched off if possible so it is not always on in the background.
- Set up your laptop on a table if possible to avoid being hunched over a keyboard for a long period of time.
- Staying in touch with people (friends, family and colleagues) makes people feel less isolated.
Try and stick to your daily routine as much as possible. There are many downloadable daily schedule/planner ideas online.
- Prioritise looking after yourself.
- Keep active – move around, try some exercise apps or YouTube videos.
- Get some fresh air (open windows regularly.)
- Eat a balanced diet and keep hydrated (to keep your immune system strong.)
- Try relaxation techniques (such as Mindfulness).
- Focus on the things that make you feel happy and content.
- Play your “happy music playlist.”
- Spend time with your pet (if you have one.)
- Laugh! (Watch YouTube, get out old photos etc.)
- Keep a gratitude diary (write down three things every day you are grateful for – be specific.)
I hope you will find something here of use to you or your family in the coming weeks.
It’s important to remember that looking after yourself and your loved ones is the priority right now.
