Mental Wellbeing
Sixth Form can be an understandably stressful time. It is important that you find a healthy balance when it comes to work and life. On this page you will find some information on how to promote a positive mental wellbeing.
Mental wellbeing describes your mental state - how you are feeling and how well you can cope with dat-to-day life. Out mental wellbeing is dynamic. It can change from moment to moment, day to day, month to month or year to year.
If you have good mental wellbeing you are able to:
Feel relatively condient in yourself and have positive self-esteem
Feel and express a range of emotions
Build and maintain good relationships with others
Feel engaged with the world around you
Live and work productively
Cope with the stresses of daily life
Adapt and manage in times of change and uncertainty
Here are some ideas to stay mentally well and develop your ability to cope with the ups and downs of life:
Think about what is affecting your wellbeing
Build positive relationships
Take time for yourself
Look after your mental health
Look after your physical health
Ask for help if you need it
Think about what is affecting your wellbeing
We're all different. What affects one persons mental health won't necessarily affect others in the same way. But we all have times when we have low mental wellbeing, where we feel stressed, upset or find it difficult to cope.
Common life events that can affect your mental wellbeing include:
Loss or bereavement
Loneliness
Relationship problems
Issues at work or school
At other times there is no clear reason for why we feel the way we do - which can be frustrating. There are some factors that may make you more vulnerable to experiencing a period of poor mental wellbeing such as trauma, social problems or long term health problems
Build Positive Relationships
Connecting with others can help us to feel a greater sense of belonging and can help to challenge feelings of loneliness.
Make time for people you love. Keeping in regular contact, whether it's face-to-face, on the phone or through text can strengthen relationships
Thing of the things you like to do, such as drawing or sport and look for local groups. Meeting people with a shared interest can increase your confidence and build your support network
Talk about the way you feel. Opening up to a trusted friend of family member can help you to feel listened to and supported. Just acknowledging your feelings by saying them out loud can help
Use peer support. If you're finding things difficult, talking to people who have similar feelings or experiences can help you feel accepted.
Volunteer at school or at a local hospice. Giving your time to those that need it can be extremely fulfilling and can help you to look at things from a different perspective
Take Time for Yourself
At times you may feel guilty for spending time on yourself. But it's essential for your wellbeing and can help you to be more resilient.
Try mindfulness. Focusing on the here and now can help you to become more aware of, and manage, your thoughts, feelings and surroundings. It can help you to enjoy life more and accept the world around you.
Learn something new. Learning new skills can help boost your confidence and give you a sense of achievement. You can learn a new language, sign up for an art class or try a new recipe. It doesn't have to be something big.
Do something you enjoy. Whether it's taking a long walk, playing an instrument or going to the cinema, it's positive for your wellbeing to do something that makes you feel good.
Try relaxation techniques. Doing something that you find relaxing, such as listening to music, colouring in or having a bath can help to reduce stress and improve your mental wellbeing.
Look After your Mental Health
If you're living with a mental health problem, taking steps to look after your mental health can help you improve your wellbeing.
Tell people what helps. If certain treatments have helped in the past, tell your doctor. Let your friends and family know how they can support you, whether it's listening to you when you're having a bad day, helping you keep on top of your commitments, or being aware of your triggers
Spot your early warning signs. If you can, try to be aware of how you're feeling, and if you can spot any signs you might be becoming unwell. These will be individual to you, but it can be useful to reflect on what these may be so you can get support for your mental health problem as soon as possible.
Keep a mood diary. Tracking your moods can help you to work out what positively and negatively affects yiyr mental wellbeing. You can take steps to avoid, change or prepare for negative situations.
Build your self-esteem. Increasing your self-esteem can help you to feel more confident and able to challenge adversity
Look After your Physical Health
Looking after your body can help to keep you mental well. Making small, gradual changes can have a positive impact on your mental wellbeing - try to start with one of two things you feel able to do.
Moving - Our mental and physical health are closely linked. Taking up sport or exercise can help you feel better in lots of different ways.
Eating - Exploring how what you eat affects how you view yourself might help you to feel better
Drugs and Alcohol - These can have a negative effect on your mental wellbeing
Sleeping - Getting too little or too much sleep can have a big impact on how you feel
Set yourself a challenge - You could take up a hobby, join a class or volunteer your time for something you feel passionate about.
AR times it can be hard to find the motivation to set goals for yourself, especially when you don't feel confident or worry about what other people may thing. But it doesn't have to be something big. Making small goals such as trying a recipe or learning the fays of the week in a new language can help you to feel more positive about yourself.
Ask for help
Think about treatment options. If you're finding things really difficult, you might want to talk to your doctor about any support services in your local area. You might want to try counselling to talk through the things you're finding challenging with a trained professional.
Don't pressure yourself to carry on as normal. Take small steps and if you are finding it difficult to cope on your own, don't be afraid to ask for help.
Plan for crisis. When you're really unwell, it can be hard to ask for the support you need or figure out what support you want. Making a crisis plan while you're well can help you stay in control of your treatment, and mean other people know how best to help
Stay safe. If your feelings become overwhelming, and you have suicidal thoughts or you think you may self harm, remember that you can pick up the phone at any time of night or day and talk to the Samaritans
Help at Fulneck
If you have a problem whilst at school your first port of call should be your form tutor. Your form tutor will be able to give you advice on your problem and point you in the right direction.
If your problem is linked to school work talk to us. We will be able to help.
If you have concerns about your physical health visit the school nurse.
If you have a concern about your mental health talk to someone. If you don't feel comfortable talking to someone at school talk to someone you trust - alternatively there are online support services that you can contact.