Talking about mental health problems is something that doesn’t come easily to many teenagers. With many of us feeling general anxiety about the current pandemic, it may be that young people find expressing their worries and feelings even more difficult. They might see others feeling the pressure and feel unable to ask for help for themselves.
The normal structure of all our lives has changed and, with that, there may be a sense of loss. Some young people might feel conflicted that they can’t move as freely as they would like, see their friends as much, or physically study at their university or college of choice. We need to be careful to acknowledge their concerns, to be there for them, take time to listen, offer reassurance and enable our young people to connect with supportive communities external to home, such as their Church or socially-distanced outdoor pursuits.
At Downside we are known for our excellent levels of pastoral care, and encourage and support all our pupils to speak up and express themselves. One of our Benedictine values is listening, and this has never been more important give these challenging times.
The Houses are at the heart of out community and provide a home from home atmosphere allowing pupils to relax and talk about xxxx At Downside, the School’s Health Centre is the perfect place for pupils to take a break from school work and pop in to talk to the nursing staff or our on-site counsellor. The Centre has a holistic vibe which reflects its nurse-led approach. As well as physical treatment rooms, there is a counsellor’s room with beautiful and relaxing views and a breakout dormitory where pupils can watch films away from the hubbub of their House. Planned for the Autumn are a chill-out room with sensory resources and an outdoor relaxation area to make the most of the benefit of quiet time in the open air.
The Downside Sports Department continues to remind pupils about the benefits of physical activity for maintaining physical and mental health, creating happier, healthier people and better-connected communities. Evidence from a wide range of international and national sources supports this perception, especially in the wake of coronavirus. Our award-winning caterers, Holroyd Howe take their responsibility towards nutrition at Downside seriously. They understand the impact a healthy diet has on the wellbeing of our pupils during these important years of development.
With all this health and wellbeing help and support on hand parents can feel comforted that Downside is taking the very best care of their children – physically, emotionally and mentally.