Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) is next week; 18-24 September. This week is an excellent opportunity to engage with your child and discuss proven tools that boost mental health.

The Mental Health Foundation promotes ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ and on each day of Mental Health Week, a different ‘way’ (or tool) that can be used to boost mental health is promoted.

• Day One - Take Notice: Tune into the simple things that bring you joy

• Day Two - Give: Your time, your words, your presence

• Day Three - Be Active: Do what you can, enjoy what you do, move your mood

• Day Four - Connect: Talk and listen, be there, feel connected

• Day Five - Keep Learning: Embrace new experiences, see opportunities, surprise yourself.

The Mental Health Foundation website has some excellent information about MHAW - Mental Health Awareness Week as well as some excellent resources, including colouring in activities, a quiz, questions cards/kōrero starter cards, various posters and other resources.

By focusing on two of the five ways to wellbeing, I encourage you to connect with your child and encourage them to keep learning about different ways to support their mental health.

Image sourced from: mhaw.nz

Jenelle Hooson

Jenelle is a Registered Provisional Member with NZAC (New Zealand Association of Counsellors).

If you wish to discuss the services the School Counsellor can provide, please see your son’s homeroom teacher or Scott Johnson: scott.johnson@medbury.school.nz.