Learning Goals (1 hr)

Identify 3 learning goals at the start of the module and write reflections at three identified points during the module to indicate your progress in learning related to your stated goals.

1.  To have a better knowledge and understanding about some of the services that are available within the local area that help support the health and well-being of children.

I believe that the HWB module has really opened my eyes and encouraged me to go and find out about the different services available for pupils to help support them as they are growing up. I watched a program on BBC about the Dundee foodbanks which really made me realise how oblivious I was to the variety of services that need to be available for people within my local community. I was actually quite embarrassed that I had no idea this even existed until I watched this program. I knew that some areas of Dundee were deprived areas however I did not realise the extent to which poverty exists within this community. I think this program was a great way to raise awareness about this service and I am very glad that I know know about this service, who can use it and how to help contribute.

To find out more information about the Dundee Foodbanks and the work they do, or if you want to contribute by donating food, here is the link to the website.  http://dundee.foodbank.org.uk/

SACRO- Open day visit 

Scottish Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders- I got sent an email from the University providing us information about an open day, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to find out a bit more about the service. I had heard about SACRO in second year in within out Interagency module however it was just briefly mentioned and I had never heard of it since then so thought it would be beneficial for my professional development to go along to this event.

All of the staff that worked there were really friendly and gave us lots of information about what they do and the resources they use. When we first arrived we were given information pack that gave us contact details for lots of people that we could get in touch with within the service. I think within schools it would be the Youth Justice team that I would most likely be working with in future as the service use restorative practice which they find is a really effective method to prevent youth from re-offending again.

See webpage for more information

http://www.sacro.org.uk/services/youth-justice

Linda Temple Foundation: Eating Disorders Fife 

This service has just recently been available for people suffering from an eating disorder in Fife. There was an open evening that I thought would be interesting to go to so I got in touch with them however it was more aimed for families that were affected by an eating disorder. Staff got back to my message and were more than happy to give me information about where I could get further information. At the moment this service is only for people over the age of 18.

For more information about this service or if you want to make a decision to this group, please visit the website

Home

I think throughout my time living in Dundee and also when I am working I will continue to find out about the services available as I I think it is important to have  an awareness of the services pupils or families that I am working with can use to support them.

2. Find out how schools can support pupils with mental health issues

One of the lectures within my  HWB elective explored mental health and discussed mental health illnesses. One of the activities within this workshop was to work in groups and decide from different symptoms what disorder we would diagnose a child. This really increased group discussion and I felt this was a really appropriate task because these are some of the symptoms that as teacher I would need to be looking out for and sharing this information with other staff and services to provide the appropriate support for a child.

I found this lecture really interesting therefore I wanted to research what schools can do to help support a child’s mental health.

Here is what I found:

• Try to promote positive mental health and inform children on how they can help themselves. This can be for example by taking part in physical activities, after school clubs and breakfast clubs.
• Stay connected- make sure that pupils are keeping in touch with others, having secure and close relationships can improve mental health
• Engage parents- improving the link between home and school. Ensuring that parents are given advice and are aware of the services available for pupils
• Help others- this can be from volunteering or doing something for the good of others. Even smiling at someone can help change their mood… Happiness is contagious!
• Encourage pupils to do something different- this can be a new hobby or just by going somewhere you have never been before, by learning new things we are helping ourselves
• Having an open and supportive environment in schools- an environment where pupils can express their feelings openly, they have good relationships with staff so as they feel comfortable speaking to them.
• Schools having good relationships with partners to work collaboratively and support the needs of the children.

From what I have read, I feel as if I would have a better understanding of how to help support a child that is suffering from a mental illness. I know that I would not be able to cure it on my own however from what I have read promoting positive mental wellbeing can be beneficial for anyone, including myself, therefore I would be able to give advice to students on how what makes me feel better. I think the most important thing is that I am aware of the support and services that can be available for them and ensure that I have a good relationship with pupils so as they can talk to me comfortably.

3, Improve my own health and wellbeing 

This module made me consider the lifestyle I have at the moment and how the decisions I make have an impact on my health and wellbeing in some form therefore, throughout this module I wanted to try and take small steps to improve my health and wellbeing.

The first thing I wanted to change was increase the amount of fruit and vegetables I have in a day. I realised I was hardly eating any fruit and veg therefor I began to think of meals and ways that I could incorporate these in my diet.

• Smoothies- this was a really easy and quick way to increase fruit and vegetables. I found out that you can freeze all fruit (amazing!) which meant that I could buy fruit in one go and it would not go to waste.

Top tip: prepare all fruit by washing and cutting into smaller pieces then create pop all the ingredients for a smoothie in a freezer bag so as it just needs to go in the smoothie maker in the morning. This means that you can make your smoothie in less that 5 mins. Another suggestion for those of you that do not like milk in your smoothie is to try a adding fruit tea, for me this makes it taste better.

I try to have a smoothie a day which is definitely making me a feel a bit healthier. I try and have it in the morning before I go out anywhere and I am finding that this is making me want to eat better for the rest of the day. I have also started adding kale and spinach in my smoothie to try and make them more nutritious.

Here are some examples of easy smoothies

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/smoothie

• Drink more water- this is something that I feel I still need to work on. When I am working or at placement I only drink water, whereas when I am in my flat I tend t have cups of tea (which then leads to a chocolate biscuit) so I still need to think of ways that I can cut out the tea and coffee.
• To not be on my phone or on my laptop late at night- this is another area that I really need to work on as I am finding this this is now affecting my sleep. I think I need to get into the habit of stopping work earlier so as this will help me sleep earlier. It is so easy to get into the habit of going on Facebook and Twitter and before you know it, half an hour has been and gone! I know social networking has it benefits in terms of communicating with others and sharing information however I feel I really need to work on limiting my use of social networking sites.