Taking Ten this World Mental Health Day

At Farnborough Hill we continually recognise the importance of good mental health and why it is so essential for children and young adults as they mature and flourish.  This year on World Mental Health Day, Monday 10 October, the National Literacy Trust encouraged schools and communities to take ten minutes out of their day to read a book in support of mental health.  At Farnborough Hill we believe that reading and good mental health go hand in hand, and so at 10.00 am, all pupils and staff took part in the National Literacy Trust’s #Take10 initiative, taking ten minutes to read a book.

The National Literacy Trust states that reading can be an effective way of helping people take care of their mental health and well-being - and it only takes ten minutes a day to see the benefits.  Reading every day can help people of all ages to; relax, unwind and boost your mood, escape from the pressures of life and reduce stress levels, improve your memory and concentration.

Year 7 and Mrs Olivia Brophy were about to commence their Library lesson when 10.00 am came around and excitedly got their current Library book out and spent time reading.  After reading they rather animatedly got their Bingo cards out to get a few stamps from the past couple of weeks.

Good mental health is imperative for learning new things, communicating emotions and preserving healthy relationships with others.  The School delve into these themes regularly, as part of our ethos to effectively ‘Educate the Whole Person’, exploring various topics in PSHEE lessons, Assemblies, Form Time, Retreat Days, prayer and reflections.