Invicta Vlogs
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"
As it was World Mental Health day on Thursday 10 October. I thought it would be the perfect time to write about the importance of mental health and how you can help both yourselves and others who need it.
Recently, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (also known as “the fab four”), released their latest mental health initiative called ‘Every Mind Matters’. It is an online quiz that helps to create a free online plan to “help you cope with stress, boost your mood, improve your sleep and feel more in control”. It is fantastic that we have such prominent figures in our society that are taking a stand and raising awareness of this issue. However the fundamental change is going to come from people like you and me talking openly about it.
Millions of people across the world suffer from mental health conditions, so it is likely that you know someone who is struggling with mental health (whether or not they have told you). There is no shame in suffering from the flu or having a broken leg, yet there is still a huge stigma attached to the, often hidden, illnesses around mental health. So many of us worry about being judged or perceived as weak by admitting that we need help, meaning we often do not voice that we are struggling. This self-judgement and denial just make things worse.
As a school, we are embracing the new mental health initiative as well. Our latest one is Oxygen club; this is a safe space for all students to come to if they have any problems or want to learn about mental health. It will be staffed by myself, Lizzie (Head Girl) and Dom (Head Boy), along with other students. It will be held on Thursday lunchtimes in the Reading Room. We are there to help you, so please do not hesitate to come along.
The first step is often the most difficult but is the most important one to take. As the famous Chinese proverb says: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.
If you are interested in the ‘Every Mind Matters’ initiative, please click on the link below:
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
Charlotte Traube
Deputy Head Girl