Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from 18-24 May 2020. The theme is kindness.

Why kindness?  

We have chosen kindness because of its singular ability to unlock our shared humanity. Kindness strengthens relationships, develops community and deepens solidarity. It is a cornerstone of our individual and collective mental health. Wisdom from every culture across history recognises that kindness is something that all human beings need to experience and practise to be fully alive.  

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

As we approach Mental Health Awareness Week on 18 May, a Request from ‘WE WILL’ TO SHARE. 

WE WILL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH GROUP LAUNCH NEW FILM ‘JUST LISTEN’   Young people reveal that the simplest and most effective way of helping themselves and others to cope during challenging times is to JUST LISTEN. To share this message the WE WILL youth mental health group are launching their latest film, JUST LISTEN. WE WILL say that listening better is a vital skill that can save relationships, health and lives. They ask, ‘Will you be THAT person who steps up and LISTENS BETTER?’

LISTENING BETTER can be improved in minutes - watch ‘BOY’ to understand WHY it’s important to listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9WBZ1L2s4I&t=11s

To find out HOW to listen watch their new film ‘JUST LISTEN’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg053UnO7S0

WE WILL – will you? www.ewanrigg.com/wewill

Insta @wewillcampaign            

Twitter @wewillcampaign 

Under the current COVID-19 measures many families do not have their usual support and protective factors around them, including schools, family and friends and support groups. As a result children and young people may become ‘hidden’ and may be very vulnerable.

During the pandemic professionals and volunteers may come into contact with children and families that they haven’t met before, therefore could you raise awareness with both professionals and the communities you work with, to highlight the dangers for children and young people and promote the ‘See Something… Say something’ campaign posters attached.

RACE is a child exploitation prevention service based in Cumbria which is ran by the children's charity, Barnardo's. 

RACE Service Information

RACE referral form. 

There current offer for support during COVID-19 can be found here

In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, many children are now being educated at home and continuing their education online. Although technology can give children access to learning opportunities and socialising, it can still present some risks. We have provided some more information and things you can do to help keep your child safe online during this difficult time.

Online Safety Advice for Parents & Carers

Schools will be communicating with children, young people and families about transition, but there is no getting away from the fact that it is going to be a very different transition due to our current situation.

Therefore the 5-19 Public Health Team thought it would be helpful to provide parents and carers with ideas to help manage this process.

Transition to Secondary School (Year 6) 

Ideas to Support your physical and mental health during this time of transition (Year 11) -

Every Life Matters has published an online booklet providing guidance to looking after yourself and others Wellbeing and mental health during COVID-19.

Further information can be found below

Suicide Alertness Additional Information

Additional Resource

The NSPCC has launched a government funded campaign to raise awareness of our helpline, which provides free support for anyone who’s worried about a child.

Find out more about the helpline: NSPCC helpline

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has published a further 80 accounts of survivors of child sexual abuse shared with the Truth Project. Survivors of child sexual abuse in England and Wales describe the barriers they faced in coming forward, the lifelong impact of the abuse they experienced and how, by sharing their account, they hope to help others.

Read the news story: ‘I am still alive ... I am a survivor ... this is why I am speaking to you’ Child sexual abuse survivors hope to help others by sharing experiences

Read the experiences shared with the Truth Project: Experiences shared

Coronavirus: remote education practice for schools - The Department for Education (DfE) has published guidance for schools in England on adapting teaching practice for remote education. The guidance outlines some approaches that have worked for schools and includes case studies and information about: 

• supporting pupils’ wellbeing
• adapting teaching practice for remote education
• adapting the curriculum for remote education
• keeping pupils motivated and engaged

There have been serious concerns reported globally and locally, about the use of Zoom as a number of serious security flaws have identified evidence of Zoom meetings being hijacked and inappropriate content streamed into the meeting.

We are aware a number of individual agencies have banned the use of Zoom. If your agency permits the use of Zoom to host meetings then there are a number of steps which can be taken to set up and use video conferencing services, such as Zoom safely and securely. Please visit the National Cyber Security Centre for further information available here and here

The Children’s Commissioner has also published guidance for the use of Zoom in education https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/coronavirus/keeping-classrooms-safe-online/