Our children and young people are growing up in a world fundamentally different to the one in which we were born. As ‘digital natives’ the overwhelming majority have and use smartphones on a regular basis, with all that that entails. One study from last year even showed that a quarter of children under six had smartphones, something which has profound implications for how they will grow up and the challenges that they will face, as well as the opportunities that such amazing technologies will bring them.
To mark Children and Young People’s Mental Health Week I visited Downend School. They were holding a Wellbeing Day, where children wore non-uniform and were excused from classes to take part in activities that helped them work on their mental health. I watched a fascinating workshop in the main school hall where children were arbitrarily separated into ‘East Side’ and ‘West Side’ based on where they were sat, in order to demonstrate how easily division can be fostered between groups of people. It was interesting to see the wide-eyed looks when children realised what had happened and how the simple recognition of the process allowed them to see past superficial divides. I wonder if some colleagues of mine in the House of Commons would benefit from taking part in the future!
Place2B’s research shows that 56% of children and young people worry “all the time” about at least one issue, whether it is at school, or at home, or otherwise about themselves. Whilst this is alarming, there are things that can be done about it to help the children and young people in your life cope. Talk to them about what you do to keep healthy, sharing your tips.
Good examples of simple things that make a big difference are taking breaks from technology, going for walks and getting more exercise generally, and making sure you consistently get a good night’s sleep.
This is an issue very close to my heart, as I’m sure it is for all of us, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to have visited such an excellent school and to have been inspired by their commitment to helping their students become healthy, as well as educated, adults.
