National guidance to support children and young people's mental health.
New national guidance has been produced for schools around supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Research shows that up to 10% of pupils aged five to 15 experience mental health issues at some point in their life. It's essential that they get the help they need as quickly as possible. Issues such as lack of confidence, anxiety, low mood, and depression, conduct and eating disorders can impact significantly on their happiness and life chances.
Schools are a place where these needs can often be more easily identified. The latest documents can help schools to develop their response as well as their whole school approach to promoting emotional health and wellbeing.
Public health annual reports
The Director of Public Health Annual Report focuses on positive mental health and wellbeing for everyone. Utilising the ‘five ways to wellbeing’ a public facing leaflet style report has been produced in versions that people of different ages can relate to. It enables people to identify with the examples and include each of the five ways in their lives. Positive mental health and wellbeing contributes to good physical health and the best quality of life.
Please take the time to read the report and to share with friends, family and colleagues. Any encouragement to complete the five ways to wellbeing is appreciated and we would love to see any pictures and examples of people who have used the report to improve their wellbeing. We would be really interested to learn how you have used the annual report and the five ways of wellbeing in school and you can let us know, email: wellbeing@derbyshire.gov.uk.
Primary school pupils will receive a hard copy before October half term. Pupils and their families will be encouraged to participate in the five ways to wellbeing to have fun and improve their mental health. Further reports for under fives, secondary age pupils and older adults will follow later in the autumn.