Helensburgh is home to 4,800 naval personnel and their families, equating to 40% of regular forces based in Scotland.
Workshops were delivered through Forces Children Scotland’s Your Mind Matters Project, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Sessions were delivered in John Logie Baird Primary School, which focused on raising awareness, self-awareness, and encouraged pupils to talk about their feelings.
Pupils received a self-soothe box, which included items to help with relaxation and grounding, focusing on the five senses. The boxes were decorated with lots of colour and flair, which included calming scents, a squishy toy, and much more.
These sessions raised children’s awareness of mental health and wellbeing and helped to learn how to manage their big emotions. Early intervention in managing mental health symptoms is key to better management, and self-awareness and talking to others about our emotions are the first steps.
The feedback was incredibly positive, regarding the information presented to the children, the delivery of the information, and how much their pupils enjoyed sessions.
The Your Mind Matters Project has also started to deliver free mental health awareness sessions for the wider Helensburgh community at the Drumfork Community Centre.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues, with over eight million people in the UK reporting symptoms at some point in their life.
The initial session focused on learning more about anxious thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and the cycle of anxiety. Attendees also practiced relaxation techniques that can be used at home, or on-the-go, which included imagery, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation.
Attendees were extremely positive about the session, who agreed it was effective in enhancing their understanding of anxiety and that it would prove hugely beneficial to explore further topics, like stress and depression, in the future.
Making the change from primary to secondary school can prove worrying for some young people. That’s why the Your Mind Matters Project is running free sessions this summer for young people from armed forces and veteran families in Helensburgh starting S1 in August.
There are two sessions remaining, which will run on 20 and 27 July at the Drumfork Communty Centre for young people to come together to build networks and confidence, to share their thoughts and get prepared.
Better still, Hermitage Academy pupils will attend sessions to break the ice, answer important questions and to get involved in fun-based activities.
For further information, please contact gillian.gray@forceschildrenscotland.org.uk.
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