Mental Health Awareness Week

 Dear Parents/Carers

Outwood Academy Shafton is marking Mental Health Awareness Week

 - The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week is anxiety, a common feeling that can sometimes get out of control.

Mental Health Awareness Week, now in its 23rd year, runs from 15-21 May and is hosted by the charity, Mental Health Foundation. 

This year, the theme is ‘anxiety’. Across the UK, people are encouraged to get involved by sharing their experience of anxiety and the things that can help with the hashtag #ToHelpMyAnxiety.  As part of the campaign, the Mental Health Foundation will be publishing guidance on how we can manage and improve feelings of anxiety and prevent them from developing into a more serious mental health problem.

At Outwood Academy Shafton, we are dedicating time during tutor groups and life lessons to develop our students' understanding of mental health and how they can improve their own. We will also be raising awareness around the Academy and through our social media channels. Our recently crowned Mental Health Champions will be handing out green ribbons on Friday morning.

Finally, on Thursday 18th May, we will be running some special enrichment sessions in Music and Art as well as a session run by Compass for anyone who wishes to attend.

Alexa Charnley, Director of Fundraising and Communications at the Mental Health Foundation, said:

“We all experience anxiety but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem.  However, there are things we can do to manage feelings of anxiety and stop them becoming overwhelming.  For example, breathing exercises, physical activity, speaking to a trusted friend, or keeping a diary. You can find more information and guidance on our website mentalhealth.org.uk.

“This Mental Health Awareness Week we’re encouraging everyone to get involved by sharing their experiences of anxiety and the things that help with the hashtag #ToHelpMyAnxiety.  We hope people all over the UK will take part and help us to normalise conversations about anxiety and mental health.  We hope the week helps people to feel more confident in talking about anxiety and how it affects them.  Most importantly, we hope people understand more about what they can do to manage anxiety and what other support is available.”

Get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week:

During Mental Health Awareness Week use the hashtag #ToHelpMyAnxiety to share experiences of anxiety and the things that help

Yours Sincerely,

Joe Turner 

Y11 Learning Manager

j.turner2@shafton.outwood.com 

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MHF-wear-it-green-day-2023-anxiety-booklet.pdf 448 KB