Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys is proud to support Children's Mental Health Week 2024.

This year’s theme is: Your Voice Matters.

This Children’s Mental Health Week we want all children and young people, whoever they are, and wherever they are in the world, to be able to say – and believe - “My Voice Matters”.

In honour of “Children’s Mental Health Week” we have been encouraging students to speak up about their mental health and provide them with the tools that they need to do so. It is without a doubt that young people struggle with emotional literacy, so this week has been about developing that.

Each morning, a student has shared a poem they have written over the tannoy and our senior mental health lead has been reminding students to speak out if they are struggling with their mental health. We are also encouraging students to share their creative work and this will be published on the website.

My Mind is a Battlefield - Written by Zion

My mind is a battlefield my intrusive thoughts are winning

My mind is a battlefield my head feels like its spinning

My mind is a battlefield my mind feels like it is slipping

My mind is a battlefield A guiding light I am constantly grasping

My allies have arrived, and I am not surprised

They lifted me up when they heard my cries

My mind is a battlefield my mind is winning

My mind is no longer a battlefield

My mind is at peace as me and my friends are grinning

I am basking in my glory and cannot wait to tell my story

If you are struggling tell someone they may be able to help you

Here are some other activities happening in school:

• Mental health workshop with Year 8.
• Posters are displayed in and around the corridors. 
• Staff have been writing the students messages of support which will be turned into an art installation.
• Support group for female 6^th form students.
• PD and morning activities.

In addition, we are signposting students to get the help they need. Please reach out if you have any concerns or questions.

We are aware that global conflicts affects the mental health of many of the young people in our community, so we will be holding a fundraiser on Thursday 8th February to raise money for “Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)” for their vital medical work in Palestine.   

Happy Children’s Mental Health Week: your voice REALLY does matter to us!

Children's Mental Health Week 2024 Website

 

Useful School Contacts:

Senior Mental Health Lead/ LGBTQ+ Lead and DSL for 6^th form: Ms Elliott helliott@woolwichpolyboys.co.uk

DSL for whole school: Ms Kouame dkouame@woolwichpolyboys.co.uk

Mental Health coordinators: Ms Hawgood and Ms White dhawgood@woolwichPolyboys.co.uk chwhite@woolwichpolyboys.co.uk

Lead Counsellor: Ms Prescott jprescott@woowlichpolyboys.co.uk