Children's Mental Health Week 2021
Children’s Mental Health Week is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the importance of children’s and young people’s mental health. Installing positive mental health in young people is especially relevant now with the current challenges that lockdowns and restrictions are imposing on our youth.
Palace for Life Foundation are proud to be supporting Children’s Mental Health Week, throughout the week we will be sharing resources on our social media accounts and website created by our Team Mates team to support any young person.
Children’s Mental Health Week highlights that there is a great need to provide support to children and their mental health, which is a year-round aim for Palace for Life flagship mental health programme, Team Mates.
Team Mates is an early intervention programme for Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 pupils who are at risk of developing poor mental health. Usually delivered to groups in schools, we have been able to adapt to continue delivering virtual sessions to those who need it whilst they are learning from home.
The programme is a 24-week positive psychology group intervention aimed at young people who may be at greater risk in developing poor mental health in their adolescent years. In groups of eight, participants learn through a series of games, using social skills development as an effective tool to build up their protective barrier against poor mental health.
Supplementing these games, participants complete worksheets, student-led discussions and group activities which allow them to reflect on experiences and create positive coping strategies all under a safe and comfortable environment.
Speaking on the importance of developing strategies to support mental health, Disability Manager and Deputy Head of Sports and Wellbeing, Michael Harrington said:
“All of us at Palace for Life are aware of the difficulties children can have with their mental health and wellbeing. In these uncertain times of restrictions, it has never been more important for all of us to look after ourselves and those around us.
“Programmes such as Team Mates, have been designed to help those who may be at greater risk in developing poor mental health. These life-changing programmes have been revamped for the challenges that our local children are facing now on a day-to-day basis as we look to help them and their families come together to improve and maintain good levels of mental health.”
Palace for Life Mental Wellbeing Coordinator, Tom Prance, delivers Team Mates in a number of schools across Croydon and south London:
“Team Mates is essential in building positive mental health habits. Our sessions focus on topics such as communication, gratitude and resilience, helping to build character and relationships, and develop their mental health for the future. The things the students learn, and the progress these young people make during these sessions, will really help to empower them throughout later life.”
If you are a school or teacher who would like to find out more about the Team Mates programme, please click HERE.