Stonar School recently presented a remote learning programme to parents by renowned Mental Health Campaigner, Dick Moore, on the wellbeing and mental health of children. The presentation is part of the school’s Spring@Summer remote learning programme.
“We naturally focus on the pupils and staff, but our parents are also part of our school community and most are coping with many pressures at this time,” said Matt Way, Headmaster. “With this in mind, we organised Dick to talk directly to parents about children’s mental health from a parents’ perspective.”
Dick’s story is deeply personal and he admits, “I am not a doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor. But I do have wide experience of young people – not least as the father of four sometimes errant children! Circumstances led me to develop a passionate interest in adolescent development and emotional wellbeing.”
Dick delivered some down-to-earth, hard-earned words of wisdom about the challenges of parenting children of all ages. Topics such as the development of a teenager’s brain, their reaction to stress and anxiety, the prevalence of self-harm and identifying depression were all covered. In addition to guidance on the support and understanding that parents can provide, the importance of communicating with the school and of knowing when to seek professional help was also covered.
Dick also gave ten top tips for parents on the steps they can take to support positive wellbeing in their children and to know when to act with the aim of helping children to learn that ‘all storms pass – they will be ok and come out the other side’.
The webinar concluded with a live anonymous Question & Answer session with parents. Once Covid restrictions have eased, Dick will be visiting Stonar to talk to pupils and staff about a range of age-specific inter-related topics on youth mental health.
Stonar still has some places available for September 2021 entry and interested families can contact the Admissions Team on 01225 701744 or email email hidden; JavaScript is required