Mental Health & Wellbeing
At Stella Maris Catholic Primary School, we are dedicated and committed to supporting the positive mental health and well-being of our whole school community (children, staff, governors, parents and carers). We recognise our core purpose of preparing and inspiring learners who are confident in living out our School Mission, Gospel Values and Vision, enabling them to grow to become outstanding, kind citizens of God’s world.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12
What is Mental Health?
The World Health Organisation defines mental health as a state of wellbeing in which every individual achieves their potential, copes with the normal stresses of life, works productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community. Mental Health includes our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act.
Good mental health and wellbeing is just as important as good physical health. Like physical health, mental health can range across a spectrum from healthy to unwell; it can fluctuate on a daily basis and change over time.
What can help?
- Feeling loved, trusted, supported, understood, valued and safe
- Having a sense of belonging at school and at home
- Having good physical health
- Eating a well balanced diet
- Regular exercise
- Doing things you love
- Going to a school that looks after the well being of it's students and their families
- Taking part in activities
- Being able to learn and having a wide range of opportunities to have fun!
World Kindness Day - November 2025
On Thursday 13th November we celebrated World Kindness day. At the beginning of the week, Mr Langley talked all about kindness and how we can show kindness and love to others, just like it says in the Bible. We also sang our Kindness song together. It was a lovely way to start the week and then on Thursday in our classes, we thought World Kindness day, doing activities around kindness, linking our daily reflections to kindness and sharing kindness stories. Treats were also left in the staff room for World Kindness day.
"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy
Ideas and Resources
Young Minds
Young Minds is a great website that supports young people and their families, providing resources and activities for all.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/professional/resources/
Mind
Mind helps provide a range of activities and suggestions for home, when out and about, for motivation etc and all activities are inclusive.
Elsa Support
Elsa Support provides free resources for a wide range of topics, including back to school posters, parent leaflets and lots of different activities to complete at home.
https://www.elsa-support.co.uk
The British Red Cross
The British Red Cross provides lots of resources for well being and being kind to yourself, both for children and adults.
https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-with-loneliness/wellbeing-support
Place2Be
Place2Be is full of resources, including creative resources, getting ready for school, the daily mile at home etc.
https://www.place2be.org.uk/our-services/parents-and-carers/wellbeing-resources-for-families/
The National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust provides ideas for books to read, as well as reading and writing activity ideas.
https://wordsforlife.org.uk/themes/happiness-and-wellbeing/Action for Happiness
Action for Happiness has some wonderful resources for all, in order to promote happiness and kindness.
https://actionforhappiness.org
Time to Talk
If you need any support, advice, or someone just to listen, please remember that you can talk to anyone at our school. We are always there for you and may be able to help you seek professional advice and help if needed. Or you can try the following links.
Samaritans
The Samaritans are available if you or someone you know needs to talk. The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. You can either use the link to their website or call 116 123
Every Mind Matters
Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. The NHS have advice and support to help you improve your mental health and well being and their are also links to support groups.
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
Mind
You can find local support groups via the Mind website. Did you know there is a support group in Folkestone?
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/peer-support-directory/find-peer-support-where-you-live/
Support Line
Support line provides confidential emotional support and you can either call or email for advice.
https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/mental-health/
Story Time
Stories to enjoy at home - To help with Mental Health and Wellbeing
My Strong Mind by Niels Van Hove
The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside
Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers