Mental health and Wellbeing Training for Teachers, Pupils and Parents.
At ISS the wellbeing of our students is a daily focus. We were so proud to welcome Dr Dick Moore to our school recently. Students, Staff and Parents had the privilege of learning about mental health and wellbeing issues through his Mental Health First Aid presentation. Dr Dick Moore is a well-known professional mental health training consultant from Mental Health First Aid -- MHFA England, which is a community interest company focused on improving mental health understanding, in schools and universities around the World. MHFA is an internationally recognised programme now running in more than 25 countries.
The International School of Samui is committed to reinforcing positive student wellbeing through strong pastoral support programs. Research has shown that mental health and wellbeing are as important as physical health, and that student wellbeing and academic achievement go hand in hand. Over the last 2 years, we have raised the profile of student wellbeing significantly by increasing the amount of curriculum time dedicated to Personal, Social and Health Education and by ensuring that all our secondary students have access to 1:1 pastoral support. PSHE lessons are taught in the curriculum and our dedicated wellbeing teacher gives the students tools to manage their own anxieties and frustrations. She is always available to support students' at any time if this is needed.
Dr Moore spent a busy 2 days at the school offering advice and tools for better wellbeing provision within the school. The teaching staff had a full day with Dr Moore covering all areas and symptoms of mental health.
Teachers' felt this knowledge gave them a better understanding of how students' emotions, moods, feelings, worries might impair their decision-making and studies.
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Monday morning, Mr Moore met some of our ISS parents and talked to them parent to parent, sharing his personal story which motivated him to pursue this movement. After this he spent an hour with our Year 10 and 11 students and basically asking them a simple yet powerful and important question: "How are you?".
He also had an interactive session with Years 7 to 9 students tackling mental health and events and factors around us that influence us. It is evident that all the students gained so much from his insight and knowledge of this very important subject.
This was a wonderful opportunity and we are very grateful that he has accepted our invitation to fly all the way to Thailand and share his experiences, insights, top tips and advice.
His courses are useful for anyone who works with, lives with or supports young people aged 8-18 years. It aims to give people the tools to open-up important conversations and to empower young people to build strong mental foundations at school and at home.
If you are interested in learning more about Dr Moore, many of his workshop are accessible online. Visit his website: https://www.dickmoore.org/