1. Mental Health Awareness Week. 14-20th May 2018

2. We all have mental health
What is mental health?
We all have mental health
Mental health is about your feelings, your thinking, your emotions and your moods. It has a huge impact on every aspect of your life. If you are to function in society and live a happy and fulfilled life, looking after your mental health is as important as looking after your physical health.
We find it easy to look after our physical health. We can see injuries, feel pain and we are happy to go to the doctor for treatment. When it comes to mental health, we tend to take it less seriously. If we want to be healthy and have emotional and psychological well-being we need to take our mental health seriously.

3. Benefits of good Mental Health
People who are emotionally healthy are in control of their emotions and their behaviour.
They are able to handle life’s challenges
build strong relationships
lead productive, fulfilling lives
When bad things happen, they’re able to bounce back and move on.
They have the ability to build and maintain fulfilling relationships.
Self-confidence and self-esteem is higher

4. Stress is something we all have
Stress is something we all have. It has its good points as it helps us respond to challenges and experiecnces. However too much stress can seriously affect our well-being andnd physical and mental health. This year mental health awareness week is focussing on the impact of excessive stress on our mental well-being. Research shows that excessive stress is a key factor in mental health problems developed by young people. It is caused by many things.

5. Some Causes of Excessive Stress
Breakdown of family relationship
Bereavement
Moving house /school
Changes in friendship
Examinations
Negative social media posts
Abuse
Experiencing /witnessing violence
Bullying
Can you think of any more? Which ones would you put at the end of the arrows?

6. Some Effects of excessive stress
Physical: Headaches, rashes, breathlessness panic attacks, aching joints,nausea stomach pain, muscle cramps, sleep issues, eating issues. Emotional: sadness, nervous, anxiety, anger issues,tension, fear, depression, feeling worthless.
Can you think of any more?
Excessive stress can lead to depression, eating disorders self harm, severe anxiety, suicide.

7. All of us can do things to relieve excessive stress and improve our mental health and ability to bounce back and deal with the challenges we face.. Here are some suggestions.

8. Building your emotional resilience
1. Be active!
Use your time to keep active, reading, singing along to music, playing sports.. the possibilities are endless!   Being active keeps your mind working and thinking positive rather than negative. This is partly to do with endorphins – the happy hormones that your brain releases when you are physically active! 
2. Surround yourself with the people you love
We all need help and support from someone at some time! Having friends and family around you is important in the best and worst of times. A smile or a hug from a family member or a chat with a friend can have a massive impact on your emotional wellbeing! Smile and make friends - you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
3. You can do it!
Believe in yourself and try your best and if it doesn’t go according to plan that’s ok! It’s better to try and not succeed than regret not trying at all. Have confidence and just be you, after all life would be boring if everyone was the same!   
4. Everything happens for a reason sometimes you just have to go with it
When something isn’t going your way or you feel let down, don’t give up! Sometimes there is nothing you can do to change a situation but being open minded and looking for the positive may help.
5. Change is good
Changes happen to everyone from changing your clothes every day to moving house, new friends, new school, having to say goodbye to beloved pets. All changes help us to learn and grow into the person we are. You must remember that most things in life don’t last forever and accept that changes will happen but remember this is not a bad thing!
Emotional Resilience can mean different things to everybody, but we see it as what helps to keep you, you! Happy, healthy and enjoying life. It is normal for everyone to need help sometimes, and for everybody to feel down.  Emotional Resilience is the thing that you have inside you that helps you ‘bounce back’ to how you were before, and what helps you stay there.  

9. We all need help sometimes. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone!
Talk to a member of staff whom you trust.
Talk to a trusted family member.
Talk to your doctor.
Talk to the on-line counselling service. Kooth.com.(poster in your tutor room)
Contact Young Minds helpline at: youngminds.org.uk
Sometimes we need help get us through the tough times and learn skills to build up our resilience. It is important to ask for help. Don’t be embarrassed or feel bad about upsetting people.. No-on will label you, or think you are silly. You can be sure that you will be treated sympathetically and with care. If you don’t want to turn to adults at school, you can contact other adults you trust. Also you can access on line services which are free.