What is mental and emotional wellbeing?
Sarah Stewart-Brown, professor of public health at the University of Warwick and a wellbeing expert, says: “Feeling happy is a part of mental wellbeing. But it’s far from the whole
Feelings of contentment, enjoyment, confidence and engagement with the world are all a part of mental wellbeing. Self-esteem and self-confidence are, too.
So is a feeling that you can do the things you want to do. And so are good relationships, which bring joy to you and those around you.
Of course, good mental wellbeing does not mean that you never experience feelings or situations that you find difficult,” says Professor Stewart-Brown. “But it does mean that you feel you have the resilience to cope when times are tougher than usual.”
WELLBEING CHAMPIONS
It can help to think about “being well” as something you do, rather than something you are. The more you put in, the more you are likely to get out.
No-one can give wellbeing to you. It’s you who has to take action.”
Children learn about wellbeing in a range of different ways:
- Assemblies
- Personal, Social, Health and Economic lessons-Circle time
- Literacy-Reading, Writing, Drama and role-play
- Wellbeing weeks
Our Wellbeing and Mental Health Lead is Deputy Headteacher Claire Clinton