A view from the Pod .. all things Mental Health

Anyone that has worked with me currently or in the past knows how passionate I am about promoting positive Mental Health and Wellbeing. This passion forms my ‘Why’ (check out Simon Sinek’s guidance on finding your why!) and contributes so much to the reason why I am so proud to be the Inclusion and SEMH lead for White Woods Primary Academy Trust.

I could talk all day about how we can connect with ourselves, our children and the communities we serve and how strong connections build stronger and more resilient people. But today, on World Mental Health Day I want to take a few moments of your time to connect with you on a personal level. The theme of this year’s awareness day is to “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace“ a topic that I am very well rehearsed on. At various points across my career, my mental health has suffered because of the impact that work places, the intensity of work pressures and sometimes the people I worked with have created within me. I can now talk openly about how I can suffer from depression, something that I am not ashamed of. Acknowledging that I struggle and being open and talking to my leaders about what I need from them has meant that despite the pressures from work I am able to navigate my fragilities – work is now a huge part of my coping system!

Arguably, as an SEMH practitioner I have to be really self aware of how regulated and calm I feel at almost every part of my working day. This means I have to practise being mindful as much as I can in sometimes very stressful situations. I don’t think that is unique to my role. All of us, in education and beyond experience daily stresses and strains that are sent to test us, challenge us and help us to survive. Being mindful for me isn’t about visualisation or being in a blank meditative state. It’s about slowing down my pace, giving people eye contact and breathing from my stomach. It’s about noticing how my shoulders and jaw feel (I am a prolific jaw clencher!). 

Mindfulness is just one way I manage my mental health in relation to work. This is part of my ‘format’. My format is likely to be different to yours but I wanted to use this post to promote some ways I stay well as we navigate through this very busy world of education! Some more ways I stay well include:

• Deliberate Connect in – I regularly check in and connect with my managers and colleagues to decompress, seek reassurance and share the positives! I am very open about when I am struggling.
• Eat and drink well – yep. I know. School life doesn’t always let you do this! But we need the energy!
• Spend time on my own – sometimes I just need a quiet space for 10 minutes. I found this uncomfortable at first because I love people, but now I try to be disciplined about this.
• Have designated late working nights – where possible I plan in my later working nights and go to sleep on the ‘earlier’ nights. It’s not an exact science but generally, I try to work later at school, not home.
• Scheduled send on emails – this is an important one for me and others. Click the little drop arrow next to the send button! It’s so easy and courteous to yourself and others!
• Background noise – if you have an Apple device, go to Settings, Accessibility, Audio & Visual and Background Noise! The frequency on the dark noise option really helps to calm my thoughts!
• Know that in the moment, everyone is trying their version of their best – simple isn’t it. Be kind! It’s good for us all!

At this moment in time, in Autumn 1, this is my format. It will ebb and flow depending on what’s going on around me. But the important thing for me is that people that work with me know my signals and because I have connected with them and shown them what I need and when I may need it. Being able to articulate what you need with the people that help is a huge step. But for me, this makes sure that my mental health is part of me and doesn’t dominate me.

I hope by sharing my format you’ll find the time to connect with someone you work with to make this part of your working day too!

Beth Deakin

WWPAT Trust Inclusion Lead