Good mental health, just like physical health, is vital for everyone. The government’s first “State of the Nation” report on children’s wellbeing was published this week to coincide with World Mental Health Day on Thursday 10 October. 7,000 young people aged between 10 and 24 were questioned about their mental wellbeing. According to the findings of the report, 83% of those surveyed reported having high ‘life satisfaction’. Meanwhile, 94% of children said they felt happy with their family, 92% said they felt happy with their friends and 96% per cent re-
ported feeling in good or very good health. One of the key reasons for reported unhappiness or poor mental wellbeing was bullying, including cyberbullying. The study’s findings are important because we should be pleased that so many young people are resilient to the pressures of 21st Century life however as a school we aim to support those who struggle too. The Mental Health Foundation website states that “Good mental health allows children and young people to develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well-rounded,
healthy adults.” T

hey also add things that can help keep children and young people mentally well including:

 being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise
 having time and the freedom to play, indoors and outdoors
 being part of a family that gets along well most of the time
 going to a school that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils
 taking part in local activities for young people.

Other factors are also important, including:

 feeling loved, trusted, understood, valued and safe
 being interested in life and having opportunities to enjoy themselves
 being able to learn and having opportunities to succeed
 accepting who they are and recognising what they are good at
 having a sense of belonging in their family, school and community
 feeling they have some control over their own life
 having the strength to cope when something is wrong (resilience) and the ability to solve problems.

As educators, we welcome the report https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-state-of-the-nation-report-marks-world-mental-health-day. It recognises some
of the good practise we already have in place at LHPSN but will also help us better understand patterns and issues to make sure appropriate support is in place
when and where needed.