Health & Wellbeing at UoB School
Being well together…
All of us can feel overwhelmed at times. Looking after ourselves physically can not only benefit our bodies and make us healthier, it can also have a great impact upon our mental wellbeing.
On this page we will share ways in which we can all stay active and healthy and find resources to navigate through.
If you need to talk to someone at School, contact your Pupil Pastoral Manager.
Mental Health Awareness Week
Together we can tackle loneliness.
Loneliness – there is no single cause and there’s no one solution. After all, we’re all different! But, the longer we feel lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems. Some people are also at higher risk of feeling lonely than others.
For Mental Health Awareness Week this year, we’re raising awareness of the impact of loneliness on our mental health and the practical steps we can take to address it.
Loneliness – a guide for pupils.
Loneliness – a guide for parents and carers.
Menstrual Cycles & Mental Health
Yoppie looks at the myths, misconceptions, truths and realities of the relationship between mental health and your menstrual cycle.
Why understanding mental health & menstrual cycles is important
Because hormones have a hand in almost everything going on in our bodies, they also affect our brains and therefore, emotions. This is why hormones can directly influence our mental health, even if that change is just periodic and linked to our monthly cycle. Learning about what your hormones are up to during your cycle can help you understand why you might be feeling a certain way. And although it won’t give you the power to suddenly control how you’re feeling all of the time, it can help you make sense of it.
The Waiting Room
The Waiting Room (TWR) is a health and wellbeing directory specifically dedicated for the people of Birmingham and Solihull. A resource which provides links to key national organisations and support agencies, allowing individuals to take control of their own health and wellbeing.
There is also now an app that you can download to utilise this information. Visit The Waiting Room here.
Stay active
It’s important to look after our physical health as well as our mental health. Your physical health can affect how you feel and your mood. Try to stay active to keep physically healthy as well as mentally. It can also help reduce levels of stress and anxiety.
Get involved with our ‘UoBS Sports Sanctuary’ and get active with the PE Team! The Sports Sanctuary offers a space for pupils to join others and play sports outdoors. What are the benefits of taking part…
- Relieve stress.
- Get active and have fun whilst doing so!
- Discover new sports and activities.
- Connect and socialise with your friends.
- Improve your health and wellbeing. Getting physically active can have a positive impact on your mental health too.
Reading books and listening to audiobooks
- Reading books and/or listening to audiobooks can help you relax and boost your mood.
- Help you multi task and get things done whilst listening to an audiobook. Whether it’s cleaning or exercising – it can make it more enjoyable.
- Create a sense of community – you can listen and/or read books with family and friends at the same time – no matter where you are. It can be a great activity to take part in together. Read more about the benefits of reading aloud.
- Check out our UoB School Library webpage for more bookish content!
Practise Mindfulness
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the mental state of being aware of your feelings and accepting experiences. It can help people to relax, reduce stress levels and refocus the mind.
You can practise mindfulness in many ways, for example…
- Mindful walking – when going for a walk outdoors, concentrate on the environment around you, the sights, the sounds and feelings of each step (enjoy outdoor activities in line with government lockdown guidelines).
- Mindful art – focus on colouring and drawing patterns or doodles.
- Mindful 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste.
Staying safe online…
Whilst we are all utilising online learning more and more, it is important to stay safe whilst using the internet. Support to keep you and your family safe online can be found here:
UK Safer Internet Centre – Keeping you happy and safe online.
ThinkYouKnow – advice on staying safe when you’re on a phone, tablet or computer.
Useful Websites & Links
Young Minds – A platform for young people to find the support they need for mental health.
Mind – Advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
The Mix – Information and support for under 25s in the UK about relationships, drugs, mental health, money, jobs.
PAUSE – A Birmingham based service for pupils and parents.
Childline – Get help and advice about a wide range of issues.
Kooth – Your online mental wellbeing community.
Useful Documents to download
The Teen Guide to Surviving Lockdown & Beyond – Tools, activities and practices to help you manage your mental health and stay positive.
Let’s start an epidemic of happiness! – A mental wellbeing toolkit and digital guidebook created by Happy Space UK (mental wellbeing charity) for you and your family.
Parent/Carer Corner
Visit our dedicted space for resources and information for parents and carers.
