Mental Health Awareness Week

 

Did you know that 10% of school children have a diagnosable mental illness? Or that 51% of young people surveyed by YouGov mentioned they would feel embarrassed to have a mental diagnosis at their age?

 

 

Before half term, Habs held a week of events designed to celebrate the importance of Mental Health Awareness Week. These events encouraged our boys to reflect upon their own mental health – as well as equip them with the tools to develop and improve it.

 

 

A few of these events included:

 

 

• A HabsDash, HAPPY DASH, focused on well-being

• A Headmaster’s assembly, led by Eli in the Sixth Form, on finding purpose

• House Assemblies led by students across the Six Houses

• A lunchtime workshop with Year 6 and Year 7, led by Laughology, on having fun

• A talent event, Mencap’s Got Talent, held in the Bourne Hall

 

 

Our Director of Student Council, Eli, mentioned: “I wanted to make sure every event had a positive message. Whichever assembly it was, at the end there needed to be a positive message. We’re here to talk about mental health – but also understand it can be conquered and overcome.”

 

 

 

Eli has just delivered his Headmaster’s assembly to resounding applause. As the boys head out, we overhear Mr Hardman – Russells housemaster – comment that it was the most inspiring assembly he had been to. What was it about Eli’s assembly that got the whole school on its feet? We talked to Eli early on Friday morning:

 

 

“I wanted to make sure every event had a positive message. Whichever assembly it was, at the end there needed to be a positive message. We’re here to talk about mental health – but also understand it can be conquered and overcome.”

 

This sense of positivity, as well as a willingness to openly discuss the difficulties of mental health, came across clearly in Eli’s assembly. There was much discussion on how pursuing a goal is a successful way to overcome some of the difficulties of mental health.

“The real message of my assembly was the importance of finding your purpose. I used stories from my personal life to put across how important it is to find your own. I’d put emphasis on my current purpose, which is breaking down the stigma of mental health and helping others find their purpose.”

 

 

Eli’s work on the student council, as our officer for mental health, has done much to prove this desire to help others. Regarding speaking out about mental health, he recommends the following:

 

 

“Understand that if you are going through tough times, there are people who are going through the same thing. And they’re more than happy to help. I even take purpose from helping people. Don’t think you’re being a burden on someone – most often it makes people feel happy being able to give advice. Look out for a helping hand. There are always hands out there.”

 

 

A comment by one parent on the Laughology workshop, led by Laura Druvy, perhaps sums the wider importance of the Mental Health Week:

 

“I wanted to let you know how useful he found the session … He is not the most confident child so a session on positive thinking was particularly relevant and useful for him … Teaching the boys soft skills and focusing on their mental health is so critical and we really appreciate your continued and considerable efforts in this area.”

 

 

We would like to thank all of our guest speakers for a wonderful range of talks and events, as well as Eli and Mr Bass for organising the week. And remember, as Eli emphasis, to look out for a helping hand.