Last week, May 1 – May 4, was Mental Health Week at Brockton School!
Our Community Action Team for Health & Wellness (CAT-HW) worked hard to organize activities for students across the school. The team wanted to support their community with reflecting on their mental health, and recognising the ways in which it plays a part in everyday life. They chose the theme ‘Self’ for the week, with each day having a different ‘self’ focus.
Monday started the week off with the theme of ‘Self-Love’. In the Junior School, students spent time writing positive messages to themselves, which were then combined to make a class ‘self-portrait’. In the Senior School, students also wrote positive messages to themselves, this time on flower cutouts, which were then turned into a self-love garden.
Tuesday’s theme was ‘Self-Expression’. The CAT-HW organized a whole-school casual day, where students were invited to come to school wearing clothes that reflected their personality and view of themselves. Danc3Play was also invited to Brockton, and both the Junior School and the Senior School had the chance to express themselves through movement!
Wednesday was themed ‘Self-help’. During the whole school assembly, the CAT-HW spoke about what mental health is, why it’s important, and the differences and connections between mental and physical health. Junior School students then had the chance to ask questions, which the CAT-HW answered. Brockton also welcomed Terry Small, a.k.a. The Brain Guy to the Senior School. Students from Grade 6-12 took part in his ‘Thinking for a Change’ workshop, where they learned strategies to think flexibly, reduce stress, and help cope with uncertainty and change.
Thursday was the last day of Brockton’s Mental Health Week, and the theme was Self-Growth’. The Junior School spent time writing goals, which they placed in a time capsule that will be opened at the end of the year. The Senior School explored what Self Growth means, both to themselves, and to others via a video prepared by the CAT-HW.
Friday May 5th was the National Day of Awareness for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirited People, also known as Red Dress Day, and so no Mental Health Week activities were organized in solidarity with our Indigenous friends and communities.
Thank you to the CAT-HW for organizing such a successful, thoughtful and educational week!
