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World Mental Health Day
Sept. 27, 2021
The World Health Organisation recognizes World Mental Health Day on 10th October every year. This year’s theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’. There is a range of resources that schools and teachers can use to mark #WorldMentalHealthDay #WMHD2021.
Anna Freud
The Anna Freud Centre is a world-leading Mental Health charity for children and families and has developed and delivered pioneering mental health care for over 60 years. Their vision is a world where children and families are supported effectively to build on their strengths and to achieve their goals in life.
Schools in Mind is a free network for school staff and allied professionals which shares practical, academic and clinical expertise regarding the Wellbeing and Mental Health issues that affect schools. The network provides a trusted source of up-to-date and accessible information and resources that school leaders, teachers and support staff can use to support the Mental Health and Wellbeing of the children and young people in their care.
Schools can sign up to Mentally Healthy schools for a free #WorldMentalHealthDay resource toolkit. The resources included in the toolkit are split into two sections; more general mental health awareness resources to mark the day, and resources about mental health stigma to tie in with this year's theme. Download the toolkit here. There is also World Mental Health Day: 20 Wellbeing Tips, a list of simple Wellbeing activities and tips to help every teacher and classroom participate in World Mental Health day. You can download the resource here.
Purple Mash resources
To support schools, we have created a range of resources within Purple Mash that teachers can use to discuss Mental Health and Wellbeing in schools, you can find all the resources here.
The resources include:
- 6 steps to good Mental Health
- What makes you happy?
- A poster to share information about who people can talk to if they are worried or need support
- A template to help you create a leaflet about maintaining good Mental Health
- Acrostic poem
- World Mental Health Day quiz.
Toolkits for Parents and Schools
We have put together a Parent’s Toolkit for Wellbeing which was created with experts in the field to provide parents with the tools to identify and respond to their child’s unique emotional health needs – a perfect booklet to share with parents on #WMHD2021.
We have also put a wellbeing pack together for schools that includes a selection of resources and lesson plans for staff and students, as well as a selection of helplines and support services that schools can signpost to within school. Download your pack here.
Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation has a range of publications that schools can order and are free to download, they include: how to look after your mental health, how to manage and reduce stress and how to overcome fear and anxiety. They also have a range of posters that schools can download to promote World Mental Health Day.
Young Minds
Young Minds charity run a #HelloYellow campaign to support young people’s Mental Health. On the 8th October, World Mental Health Day, they are encouraging schools to come together to wear yellow and show their support. Their pack includes a special Mental Health lesson plan, Wellbeing tips and activities.