Student Wellbeing

Mental Health

Mental well-being does not have a single definition, it does encompass factors such as:

The sense of feeling good about ourselves and being able to function well individually or in relationships
The ability to deal with the ups and downs of life, such as coping with challenges and making the most of opportunities
The feeling of connection to our community and surroundings
Having control and freedom over our lives
Having a sense of purpose and feeling valued
Mental well-being does not mean being happy all the time, and it does not mean that you won’t experience negative or painful emotions, such as grief, loss, or failure, which are a part of normal life.

Plymouth Mind

http://www.plymouthmind.com/info/

A mental health charity evolving and re-structuring as the need arises, reflecting both the needs of mental health service users and the community we serve.

‘Our vision is of a society that promotes and protects good mental health for all, and that treats people with experience of mental distress fairly, positively and with respect.’

Self Harm

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/self-harm/#.XLXVwOhKjD4

Explains self-harm, including possible causes and how you can access treatment and support. Includes tips for helping yourself, and guidance for friends and family.

The Zone

https://www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk/self-help/young-people

Self help for young people on a range of topics, not just mental health.

Young Devon

https://www.youngdevon.org/youth/mentalhealth/eh4mh

Young Devon have been finding new and different ways to help young people thrive since 1949. They help thousands of young people every year and are looking forward to putting young people at the heart of Devon for the next 70 years.

Young Minds

https://youngminds.org.uk/

Young Minds are leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges.

Mindfulness

https://www.headspace.com/

Train your mind for a healthier, happier life. Learn the basics for free; backed by science, anytime, anywhere.

Social Media
Social media can be a great force for good, however we have all seen examples of where it is used to harm others.

Talking to your child – openly, and regularly – is the best way to help keep them safe online.

You might find it helpful to start with a family discussion to set boundaries and agree what’s appropriate. Or you might need a more specific conversation about an app or website your child wants to use or something you’re worried about.

If you’re not sure where to start then below is some of the advice you need – great ways to begin conversations to keep your child safe online.

NSPCC and O2

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-we-do/about-us/partners/nspcc-o2-online-safety-partnership/

Whilst also aimed at the parents of primary pupils, this useful guide covers the impact of Sexting and the availability of pornography online.

Bullying UK

https://www.bullying.co.uk/

Teenage problems in school can be a very daunting time for families as they struggle to deal with the issues their child may be facing. It may be your teenager’s behavioural problem that is causing concern or perhaps general teenager and school problems, including schoolwork, teachers, boundaries, etc.

Internet Matters Guides (USA)

https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/social-media-guides-parents/

If your child is using social networking sites to chat to friends and family or share their latest selfie, take a look at the list of great social media guides to get you up to speed on the most popular platforms and help them set the right privacy settings.

Cyber Bullying

https://www.internetmatters.org/issues/cyberbullying/stop-speak-support-parent-advice/

Speak, Stop, Support is a tool to help your child make smart choices online. You can use it as a talking point to better understand how they interact in their digital world.

Physical Health

Regular, moderate physical activity such as brisk walking can increase life expectancy by several years, even for people who are overweight.

While higher levels of activity were linked to even longer life expectancies, moderate activity was beneficial. The benefit of exercise is seen regardless of people’s weight, age, sex and health conditions.

Physical activity has a huge potential to enhance our well-being. Even a short burst of 10 minutes’ brisk walking increases mental alertness, energy and positive mood.

Participation in regular physical activity can increase self-esteem and reduce stress and anxiety. It also plays a role in preventing the development of mental health problems and in improving the quality of life of people experiencing mental health problems.

NHS Walking for Good Health

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/walking-for-health/

Walking is simple, free, and one of the easiest ways to get more active, get to school and become healthier.

Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.

You don’t have to walk for hours. A brisk 10-minute daily walk to school has lots of health benefits and counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.

NHS Couch to 5K

A week-by-week description of the 9-week set of Couch to 5K podcasts. Each week involves 3 runs. You can download each week as a podcast or a smartphone app

After School Classes at Scott College

There is a regular programme of after school activities for students at Scott College shared on the year group classroom.

Regular Evening Classes at Stoke Damerel

https://www.sdcc.net/parents/fitness-classes

Our aspiration is for the Stoke Damerel site to become a focal hub within the community to promote healthy living in practice.

The Plymouth Online Directory

https://www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/kb5/plymouth/directory/home.page

A range of support services for young people, families and older people and signposting to all of the support services in the city and beyond.

Sleep

Sleep, in simple terms, it is an extended bout of rest we experience on a daily basis, where we most often lay down with our eyes closed. The average person spends around a third of their life asleep. In this time, our bodies are able to replenish energy stores and make repairs, while our minds organise and store the memories of the day before.

Many effects of a lack of sleep, such as feeling grumpy and not working at your best, are well-known. But sleep deprivation can also have profound consequences on your health.

One in three of us suffers from poor sleep, with stress, computers and work often blamed.

However, the cost of sleepless nights is more than just bad moods and a lack of focus.

Regular poor sleep puts you at risk of serious medical conditions, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes – and it shortens life expectancy.

A solid night’s sleep is essential for a long and healthy life.

The Sleep Council

https://sleepcouncil.org.uk/

The Sleep Council is an impartial, advisory organisation that raises the awareness of the importance of a good night’s sleep to health and well-being and provides helpful advice and tips on how to improve sleep quality and create the perfect sleep environment.

https://sleepcouncil.org.uk/sleep-advice-scenarios/meet-david-sleep-advice-for-teenagers/

Many teenagers struggle to get to sleep in the week but fall asleep at the weekends. This would indicate Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, which is common in teenagers as their sleep cycles are different to adults’. Teenagers want to go to sleep late and wake up late, and the school day does not make this easy. This lack of sleep can make them tired, irritable and unable to concentrate and can underperforms at school.

Want to start sleeping better in four weeks? Then start your 30 day Better Sleep plan HERE.

All you need to do is answer the questions based on your sleep, health and lifestyle.

The NHS Sleep and Tiredness

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/sleep-tips-for-teenagers/#

A minimum of 8 to 9 hours’ good sleep on school nights is recommended for teens.

Here’s how to make sure your teen is getting enough sleep to stay healthy and do well at school.

Sleep Tips for Teenagers

The National Sleep Foundation (USA)

https://www.sleepfoundation.org

The National Sleep Foundation is dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy.

As the global voice for sleep health, National Sleep Foundation’s priority goals are to ensure that:

Sleep is used as a vital sign of health by medical professionals and the public
The biological sleep/wake process is common knowledge
Workplaces, schools, homes and transportation infrastructures are designed to be sleep-friendly
Sleep science is rapidly incorporated into products and services
Explore how today’s modern family sets rules for sleep, navigates the use of technology in the bedroom, how parents can serve as sleep models for their family and make the dream of a “sleep healthy home” come true HERE.