Health & Wellbeing
Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing at Merton Abbey Primary School
At Merton Abbey Primary School, we are dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of everyone in our school community. We believe that mental health is just as crucial as physical health, and it deeply influences how we live, learn, and grow. By prioritising mental wellbeing, we help our students flourish, not just academically but in all areas of their lives.
We understand that the mental health of children plays a key role in their overall well-being and can impact both their learning and success. Our mission is to offer the necessary support and resources to foster a positive mental health environment for all members of our school community.
Just as we take care of our physical health, we all need to care for our mental health. There are simple, daily habits that can help strengthen our emotional resilience and sustain positive mental health. These are known as the Five Ways to Wellbeing:
The Five Ways are:
- Connect with Others- by talking, playing, sharing, listening
- Be Active- in any way: running, play time, sports, dancing, yoga, walking
- Keep Learning- enjoy being curious
- Take Notice- through mindfulness, relaxation, observation, awareness
- Give to Others- be kind, help others, lend a hand
Mental Health Support for Parents
We know that parenting can be demanding, and it can be tough to find the time to focus on mental health. That’s why we work closely with the Merton NHS Mental Health Support Team, which includes clinical psychologists and Education Wellbeing Practitioners. This team provides a variety of services to support parents in managing their children's mental health and improving family wellbeing.
Support for Parents Includes:
- Workshops and webinars on mental health topics and parenting strategies.
- Coffee mornings for informal support and to meet other parents.
- Signposting to local services for further assistance.
- Free, one-to-one guided self-help sessions, specifically for parents dealing with childhood anxiety or challenging behaviour.
Parenting can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when responding to your child's behaviour without the chance to reflect on long-term solutions. We offer strategies to help you better understand your child’s emotions and actions, and to implement positive approaches that create a more peaceful and happy home life.
For additional resources, you can explore the SWLSTG Education Wellbeing Service YouTube Channel, which features a range of helpful videos for parents, carers, and children. You can also find free online workshops for primary school parents through Eventbrite.
- YouTube Channel: SWLSTG Education Wellbeing Service
- NHS Wellbeing Workshops on Eventbrite
If you need more information, feel free to get in touch with Lisa Laker at llaker@mertonabbey.merton.sch.uk, or contact the NHS team directly at Wave6MertonMHST@swlstg.nhs.uk.
The Mental Health Lead in school is Lisa Laker