Good morning Year 6!
Today we are going to talk about mental health.
What is mental health?
Which of these statements do you agree with?
Then, take a look at the answers:
Did anything surprise you?
In the same way as everyone has physical health (which is about their body), everyone also has mental health – both children and adults – which is about their mind, their emotions and feelings. It can include how we feel about ourselves, our relationships and how we deal with challenges and difficulties.
Physical and mental health are connected. Being fit and well physically helps us to be fit and well mentally and vice versa.
Our mental health can be thought of as being on a scale that can move up or down, a bit like a thermometer.
Mental health can move anywhere up or down the thermometer, between being healthy or unwell. We can all move along the scale at any time, but there are things that we can do to support us to stay in the health and coping areas. Sometimes, we may go in to the struggling or unwell areas. To support us with our mental health, we can put things in place to help us feel better and move out of the struggling or unwell areas.
Where do you think you are currently on the thermometer? (You don’t need to share this in the comments)
How do we know if someone feels good in their body (physical health) and their mind (mental health)?
How a person looks or behaves can suggest how they are feeling (in their body or mind), but we cannot always tell – sometimes illness or ill-health is not obvious to others.
Organise the cards below under these headings:
things we should do ‘everyday’
things we should do ‘sometimes’
things we should do ‘if there is a problem’
things we should do ‘rarely or not at all’.
First, you can do this for physical health (looking after bodies).
Then repeat this activity, but this time considering mental health (looking after minds – feelings
and emotions).
Organise the statements on the cards according to what you consider to be a ‘best fit’.
Some of these cards may fall under more than one heading. Write them down in your Home Learning book.
Here are the answers: Activities for health ANSWERS
Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health and the two are closely linked; many of the activities that help people’s physical health also support their mental health.
In order for some people to maintain good health (physical or mental) there may be things they have to do every day, that other people may only do sometimes e.g. taking medication.
TASK: Compile and share a top tips checklist to help people take care of their mental health.
You could choose a specific audience to write for, such as other primary pupils, parents/grandparents or
teachers.
Please share these tips with the rest of the school community by posting them on the blog comments.
I look forward to reading your comments!
Mrs Avdiu xx
If you or someone you know, does not feel good, help and support are available.
In the first instance and if possible, you should talk to a trusted adult (at home or school). Advice can also be accessed
at Childline: www.childline.org.uk; 0800 11111, including for mental health.
If someone is ‘struggling’ or ‘unwell’ on the thermometer scale, seeking help and advice would be a good idea.
Good morning
I think that to keep mentally healthy you need to meditate.
That is a good idea- it really helps me too. Can you tell me a little more about how it makes you feel or why you think it would be helpful?
I agree with Eliza. I think it is good to meditate because meditation is a great way to reflect on what you have done and bring yourself back to the healthy zone.
I think that it is great that their are websites and charity’s that help people who may be struggling or mentally unwell and that we should be thank full that we have somewhere to turn to for help.
Absolutely! I always enjoyed the daily meditation we did at school 🙂