MENTAL HEALTH
Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire Mind cpslmind.org.uk Local mental health support
Centre 33 centre33.org.uk
social times. Specific support for mental health includes offering spiritual reflection and wellbeing discussion through West Cambridge Christian Youth Ministries, as well as access to therapeutic support and mentoring, while cinema trips and theme park visits help to promote socialisation. Prepared for life Many schools – Framlingham College, Sancton Wood School and Abbey College Cambridge among them – appoint pupil wellbeing ambassadors to help make a real difference, particularly in the run-up to exam season. “Our wellbeing ambassadors are good communicators and recognise that it isn’t all about study but making time for yourself and understanding the value of nature, doing sport and socialising,” says Dr Carolyn Dunn, vice principal pastoral at Abbey College Cambridge. Sancton Wood School’s year 11 pupils start each exam day with breakfast in the canteen. Fruit and hot chocolate are items It’s all about having a clearer, calmer state of mind and building confidence
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER Framlingham College (above) and Sancton Wood School (top) make sure students actively engage with wellbeing by appointing pupil ambassadors
every chance that you will be equipping pupils with mental health skills that last. “It’s about preparing them for the next stage,” she says. “Everything is building towards those lifelong skills that they are going to take into the workplace; that’s what we aim to do. One of the key words we use is balance – getting our students to be that person who can cope with whatever life throws at them.”
on the menu – together with unlimited quantities of reassurance. “It’s a calm environment before every single exam,” says Richard Settle. “They’ve got that same routine and the message from the staff is, ‘Don’t worry, you’ve got this’. It’s all about having a clearer, calmer state of mind and building confidence rather than pressure.” Get it right at this point, adds Carolyn at Abbey College Cambridge, and there’s
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