Wellbeing

As exam season edges closer, much of the focus will be on supporting your students. It is important to recognise, and accept, exam season could also be stressful for you. You are not alone. As these teachers confess, feeling increased stress during the exam season is a common experience for staff.

This article, based on responses from the Mental Health Foundation’s OPEN research network, summarises top tips on ways you can protect your own mental health and wellbeing, especially during the exam season.

Loneliness is a common human experience that we are all likely to feel at some point in our lives. Defined as the negative feeling we have when there is a difference between the relationships we have and those that we want, how we experience loneliness will be unique to each of us.

During this year's Mental Health Awareness Week, the Mental Health Foundation aims to explore the experience of loneliness, its effect on our mental health, and how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities. Listed below are helpful tips and links of how you can build connections with yourself, others and the world around you to reduce feelings of loneliness.

Ruth Simmonds, Education project manager at the Mental Health Foundation, explores the importance of bringing nature into primary schools.

Tracy Godfroy is a child psychotherapist and clinical supervisor. She advises teachers on how to support young people who are experiencing mental health problems as a result of traumatic experiences and offers her classroom communication tips.

Schools throughout the country have noted the profound impact of COVID-19 on children and young people's mental health (CYPMH) and experts agree that an integrated, whole-school approach is essential to tackle the issues. Here's our guide to organisations that can offer support and advice.

Dr Sarah Bell is a qualified teacher and Senior Research Associate in young people’s public health at Bristol University Medical School. Here Sarah discusses the importance of mental health and wellbeing research in schools.