At GEMS International School, we are excited to kick off Mental Wellness Week, a school-wide initiative aimed at promoting emotional health, resilience, and self-care among students, staff, and parents. This important week reflects our belief that mental wellness is fundamental to academic success and personal growth, aligning with the latest research which highlights the positive impact of mental health initiatives on overall student wellbeing (World Health Organization, 2022).

Our approach this year is a collaborative effort between the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Secondary School, ensuring that every student is meaningfully engaged in activities tailored to their stage of development.

Throughout the week, external experts from Vivamus will offer insights to parents and staff. Two morning sessions are planned for parents, covering critical topics such as "Grit and Resilience" and "Digital Safety" on Tuesday and Wednesday. These sessions will help parents develop tools to support their children through today’s challenges, providing practical, research-based strategies for fostering perseverance and safe technology use (Duckworth, 2016; Livingstone et al., 2019). To further support our staff, Vivamus will also be hosting an after-school session on Thursday focused on "Balance and Burnout," providing practical approaches for maintaining mental health in a demanding educational environment.

Our students will benefit from a range of exciting activities designed to meet their specific needs. Grade 11 and 12 students will hear from Reverse Psychology, whose session will explore the complexities of managing stress and navigating their online lives effectively. Meanwhile, Grade 7 and 8 students will engage in a bespoke scavenger hunt, fostering teamwork and communication skills, while Grade 6 will attend an interactive assembly focusing on adapting to change. Our Grade 9 and 10 students will dive into special mental wellness classes, thoughtfully crafted by our school counselors, designed to raise awareness of the relationship between social media and mental health.

On Thursday, we encourage the whole school to come together for Green Accessory Day to raise awareness of mental wellness. Students and staff are invited to wear green accessories, symbolizing our shared commitment to this cause.

Our incredible school counselors have worked tirelessly to ensure that students across Secondary are equipped with practical strategies to integrate self-care practices into daily lessons. From positive affirmations and guided journaling to mindful breathing, these activities give students hands-on tools to promote emotional balance and resilience—skills they can carry with them long after the week ends (Neff, 2011; Kabat-Zinn, 2013).

As we begin this important week, we are reminded of the power of community. Together, we can foster a supportive environment where every student feels empowered to prioritize their mental health. We invite you to take part in our initiatives, and thank you for your continued commitment to the wellbeing of our GIS family.