Invicta Vlogs
How are you today?
As we move forward towards achieving our Wellbeing Award at Invicta Grammar School, I have been reading around ‘managing wellbeing’ and ‘good mental health’ in general. There is certainly a wealth of extensive guidance available to tell us how we should be looking after ourselves; instructions on how to measure our wellbeing, as well as definitions of what to ‘have wellbeing’ actually means along with resources we can ‘tap into’ to help improve our wellbeing.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘wellbeing’ as:
‘The state of being comfortable, healthy or happy.’
Whilst I like this simple definition, it did get me thinking. Surely ‘wellbeing’ is much broader than simply feeling happy every day? After all, how many of us feel totally happy every day? I know I don’t! But I do, most days, and I feel happy with my life. I have a sense of purpose and I am in control of how I feel. These feelings do change day by day, as I am sure they do for everyone. When I am having a ‘not so good’ day, I have my own way of managing this, which usually involves going for a run! For me running is the best way of giving me time to think and resolve any issues I might be having. I am happy to run on my own or with other members of my running club; both help me to feel good, which I am sure is positive for my own personal wellbeing. Surprisingly for me, I am told running is not for everyone! Which brings me to the fact that I am starting to conclude from all my research into wellbeing and mental health, that there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to helping others with their own wellbeing and mental health.
Our own wellbeing and how we achieve it, is very personal to each of us. What works for one person might not work for all. Hence, the variety of different support methods available on the market. With this in mind, the members of our newly recruited school Change Team are looking at a range of different strategies that we can introduce to ensure all students are aware of the support they can access, to aid their wellbeing and mental health. How we promote these will be varied as well. We are also aware that we all differ on how we access support and guidance. Some of us like an e mail with information; some of us do not. Some of us like to read a notice board about support opportunities; some of us do not. Some of us like an information leaflet to refer to; some of us do not. Some of us will search on the Student Portal for information; some of us will not. Some students will come and ask for help, and sadly some do not. It is a tall order to achieve wellbeing for us all, all of the time, but through raising awareness of this important subject, we hope to ensure we appreciate the importance of happiness and wellbeing for every member of our school community and aim to create an environment in which every student feels happy, valued, along with realising their full potential.
As we strive towards achieving this goal (it will be an ongoing development, as we learn more and more each day), I am also of the belief that we have to look beyond the measurements of wellbeing and mental health and sometimes simply have to ask one another ‘how are you today?’ This undoubtedly helps us feel valued and looked after. In this fast paced world we live in, now how many of us are guilty of bypassing this question with colleagues and friends or it being a superficial question when we greet someone? It would be a challenge but perhaps we all need to take time out and check in with those nearest to us and make time for this question; making it clear that it is alright to say you are not good, if we are struggling.
We will keep you informed of the ongoing developments we are making as the Change Team works together to help promote wellbeing and good mental health across our school community.
Mrs Rivers
Senior Assistant Head
