Mental Health Awareness Week
We marked Mental Health Awareness week in school from 12-16th May. This year’s theme is ‘community’ and the transformative power of connection and belonging among peers. Its emphasis has been on how fostering positive relationships, and a sense of togetherness can significantly help children feel understood and accepted.
And that’s precisely what we achieved at Brantridge School with a whole week of activities organised by Ladka Harangova, our Mental Health Lead.
We started off Monday with an inspiring talk on mental health by Harry Kane. Instead of the usual myHappymind sessions, Ladka conducted individual classes focused on self-care. She evaluated the pupils’ understanding of the differences between mental and physical health. Remarkably, even our youngest students displayed exceptional comprehension and successfully organized the activities!
Community Day Highlights: Tuesday was dedicated to celebrating our community. The teachers organized an assembly to discuss the concept of community and its positive effects on our lives. Older students visited their younger peers, fostering connections in both directions.
It was wonderful to see the Zephaniah students (Year 5 and Year 6) engaging with the Stafford class (our youngest) and how effectively the older boys interacted with the younger ones. Their authentic connection made a structured ‘fun’ event unnecessary. So many smiles filled the air!
Wednesday’s Big Green Scavenger Hunt: Students were excited to hunt for ten green symbols hidden around the school. Some found the challenge easier than others. With a little bit of help for those who needed it, it was heart-warming to see the pupils return with their completed tick sheets, expecting nothing in return. So, they were even happier to find there were prizes to collect!
Thursday – Wear It Green Day: The day was filled with shades of green, and we appreciated parents and carers support for Mental Health Awareness Week by dressing the children in green. The boys in Ramsey’s lower class did an exceptional job discussing both mental and physical health. They understood the significance of wearing green as part of our commitment to Mental Health Awareness Week.
Throughout the week, students worked diligently to create a kindness chain in their individual classes. We all gathered outside on Friday 16th May to connect the links as a symbol of our community.
Our myHappymind heroes met in the orchard, where we discussed the importance of collaboration and having someone to confide in to help maintain our mental well-being.
It has been a truly remarkable week, celebrating our Brantridge School Community.
And with one final thought: Remember to do something kind for yourself, as the saying goes, “self-care is not selfish.”
