Five schools in Bucks have raised a total of £3,849.95 for Buckinghamshire Mind, by holding a mufti day or donating monies in aid of the mental health charity.

The schools, Disraeli School and Children’s Centre and The Downley School in High Wycombe, Dr Challoner’s Grammar School and Elangeni School in Amersham and Alfriston School in Beaconsfield, also benefitted from a uniquely designed mental health awareness assembly, delivered by Buckinghamshire Mind.

Mental health problems affect about 1 in 10 children and young people, which is as many as three children in every class. However, 70% of children and young people who experience a mental health problem have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age.

Buckinghamshire Mind aims to address this by raising awareness of mental health within schools, promoting mental health wellbeing for children and tackling stigma by helping children to understand what a mental health problem is and to talk about mental health.

Buckinghamshire Mind provides a range of services for schools to support mental health wellbeing. Below are some of the positive comments made by children and young people in schools who have benefited from our Peer Mentoring in Schools Service:

“This service gives you confidence to be who you are in a safe and accepting environment.”

“It gives people a place to talk and be comfortable being themselves. It’s also very fun and helpful.”

“I’ve loved having a safe environment to talk in and be free, to have a place of security is invaluable.”

“We like to support people at our school and Bucks Mind has helped us do that.”

Using a combination of real life stories, essential information and practical tips, the assemblies delivered by Buckinghamshire Mind to the five schools aimed to ensure children were equipped with the mental health and wellbeing knowledge, understanding and confidence they need.

“At The Downley School we place wellbeing at the heart of what we do within our Values Based Curriculum. Working with Buckinghamshire Mind is a great way for us to share valuable information and gain a clearer understanding of the issues that surround mental health and wellbeing. We are grateful for their input and know that our children and community will benefit from the assembly.”

 – Ms Taylor, Interim Headteacher, The Downley School

Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is already working with national Mind. The school participated in the Work Place Wellbeing Index last year, winning the Bronze Award and is taking part again this year. Carole Black, Assistant Headteacher for Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, has also received an award from national Mind as their Senior Workplace Wellbeing Champion.

“Supporting Buckinghamshire Mind by holding a mufti day is part of our long-term commitment to staff and student wellbeing. The next phase of our plans will be to encourage parents to become more actively involved.”

 – Carole Black, Assistant Headteacher, Dr Challoner’s Grammar School

Elangeni School held a whole day of mental health-focussed activities on the day of the Buckinghamshire Mind assembly. These included, feedback on the issues raised by the assembly, children creating posters about their worries, class discussions about what can be done to ease anxiety and to promote happiness, PSHE lessons on mental health and a whole school assembly at the end of the day to share what had been learned.

“Today it is more vital than ever we all play our part in raising awareness and making it more acceptable for young people to recognise mental health concerns in themselves and in one another and for each of us to find those activities that promote our own happiness and well being.”

– Alexandra Burns, Headteacher, Elangeni School

“At Buckinghamshire Mind, we’re passionate about getting children and young people talking about mental health, breaking down stigma and making sure every young person knows how to seek help if they need it. We are delighted to receive this wonderful support from children attending these five schools and to help the schools promote mental health wellbeing to their students.”

 – Andrea McCubbin, Chief Executive, Buckinghamshire Mind

To find out more about Bucks Mind’s Education and Training services it provides, please visit www.bucksmind.org.uk/services/education-and-training-services