All staff at Maesycoed Primary School recognise that this is an unprecedented time for us all and we are particularly mindful of our school community’s mental health. We have put together a list of mental health charities for adults and children, together with some useful podcasts and videos that you or your family may find helpful.
Mental health charities
Children’s mental health charities
Free mental health and self help audio guides
Relaxation tips for your mental health
Yoga - foundation phase children
Yoga – key stage 2 children
Meditation for kids
Breath meditation for kids
Laughter is the best medicine – for nursery
Art activities can support positive mental health
Mental health helplines
Whether you're concerned about yourself or a loved one, these helplines and support groups can offer expert advice.
Anxiety UK
Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)
Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
CALM
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Men's Health Forum
24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk
No Panic
Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.
Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider's Access Charge
Website: www.nopanic.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Website: www.rethink.org
Samaritans
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
SANE
Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers.
SANE line: 0300 304 7000 (daily, 4.30pm to 10.30pm)
Text care: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare
Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum
Website: www.sane.org.uk/support
Young Minds
Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.
Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Staff wanted to share their strategies for living through isolation:
“Have a look on your bookshelf, I’m finally reading Moby Dick,” said Mrs Edmunds.
“I’m learning to play the penny whistle my husband bought me for Christmas years ago as a gag gift, now who’s laughing,” giggled Mrs Brookes.
“Turn on the Wii for exercise, I have all the top scores on the wii fit disc, I challenge anyone to beat me at the snowball fight,” panted Mrs Evans.
“I’ve taken up yoga”, says a very relaxed Mr Coles, “first thing in the morning and last thing at night.”
“I’m finally learning Spanish, Qué día es mañana?” translated Mrs Duncan.
“I’m trying out new recipes from old cookery books and depending on the results, have started a charity donation pile of said cookery books,” laughed Mrs Ward.
“It would seem that I have taken up DIY in the evenings and weekends, no change there really, except that I am trying to positively embrace it and the long hours I am now able to spend in my shed dreaming up quiz questions,” shared Mr Hall.
In conclusion, this is an ideal time to consider which novels you have always wanted to read, language’s you’ve wanted to try and instruments you never got time to play. We are always encouraging our children to learn, what better way to teach them than by showing them. “Aprovecha el día.”
