Below is the transcript from Ruairidh L and Wesley W’s Monday morning assembly speech to mark the beginning of Health and Wellbeing Week.
Mental health is a term that is widely used in today’s society, regarding many things like exams and personal life. But what actually is mental health? Although I’m sure you’ve heard it so many times already – mental health, by definition, is a term used to describe emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. Put simply, mental health refers to how we think, feel and behave. It can also influence how we handle stress, act around others, and make decisions.
But it’s much more than that. Our mental health – just like our physical health – can fluctuate. There may be days when our mental health is good, and we feel energetic, motivated and happy. This, however, is not always the case as we will all experience days where we might feel lazy, stressed or upset. It’s important to understand that both ends of the spectrum are normal; we will all experience highs and lows.
Balancing schoolwork, friendships, extracurricular activities, and, on top of that, personal expectations can be overwhelming. And here’s the thing: we shouldn’t and don’t have to deal with it all by ourselves. When we struggle with our mental health, it’s important to share our feelings with someone we trust. For example, this could be a relative, a friend, a teacher or Nurse Lynne – whoever you are comfortable talking to. They are here to listen, guide, and support us through tough times. Bottling up emotions or trying to figure things out on our own doesn’t always work and can lead to burnout or an even greater mental or physical strain.
I also want to remind everyone that if they don’t want to talk to an adult about mental health, most SVI students are Mental Health Ambassadors (and certified Mental Health First Aiders). So, whether it’s to help connect you with someone who can help or just to listen, we are always available – no matter how big or small you think it may be. Your SVI Mental Health Ambassadors will be wearing a Mental Health Ambassador badge, so look out for the badge on our blazers if you need to talk to someone. We’re here to walk this journey with you because mental health is something that affects all of us, and no one should ever feel like they are going through it alone.
Managing our mental health is essential not just for getting through difficult periods, but for our overall well-being. It helps us stay focused, make better decisions, and feel happier in the long run. Proper management of our mental health ensures that we can bounce back from challenges, build resilience, and support healthy relationships with those around us.
I personally have struggled with my mental health on numerous occasions. One recent example of this was during exam season where I began to feel overwhelmed with everything. The pressure to perform well, to meet expectations, and to justify the sacrifice that sent me here lead me to become anxious and stressed. But I realized that letting this stress take over was only making things worse. So, I started doing things to take care of myself and ease the pressure. I found that studying simple topics with music helped me concentrate and calm my mind. Going to the gym also made a huge difference as it gives an outlet for my stress so I could refocus in between studying. Physical activity not only allowed me to burn off stress but also improved my mood. For me I was helped by the gym but for you it could be something completely different, it could be reading, going for a walk, playing a sport or spending time with family. Anything that helps you calm your mind.
This week will introduce Health and Wellbeing Week within the school. This will be a great opportunity for all of us to focus on taking care of ourselves and our mental health. To kickstart the week, Thomas Franks – the School’s catering provider – are hosting a wellness workshops. They will involve, amongst other activities, making sushi and getting to work the smoothie bike. A reminder that sometimes nourishing our bodies can be a great first step in nourishing our minds.
In addition to these workshops, there will be activities during Form period to raise awareness of how to ensure good mental wellbeing. For example, you can help create an affirmation wall where you can write or read positive, uplifting messages to remind others that they are not alone. Another activity will be an anonymous compliment box for each form class. And, as you may already have been told this morning, there’s also a school-wide poster competition where you can visually express what mental health and wellbeing means to you and how we can support one another. The winning form class will win a prize, so be sure to give it your best shot.
These activities are not just about having fun; they are designed to help us reflect on our mental health, and to remind us that it’s okay to take a step back and breathe, and that we all have a role in supporting one another. Asking for help is never a sign of weakness; in fact, it’s one of the strongest and most courageous things we can do.
In closing, I hope today’s talk and the Health and Wellbeing Week activities on offer remind you to take care of yourselves, reach out for help when needed, and support one another. Together, as a community, we can create a culture where mental health is prioritised, and where every student feels seen, heard, and supported.
Remember that even if you are not a Mental Health Ambassador, you can still make a difference to someone’s day. Ask them how they’re doing, have a talk with them, sit next to them if they’re lonely. You don’t need a badge to lift somebody’s spirit.
