Authors: Kindall Tyson, M.Ed., LPC, NCC & Tessa Van Der Meiden

When we speak about wellbeing or mental health at Dulwich College Beijing (DCB), what exactly do we mean? 

Throughout our lives, many of us learn how to take care of our physical health. We are told to eat balanced meals, moderate unhealthy food, exercise regularly, get some fresh air, and stay warm in winter. If we don’t, then we feel unhealthy, fall ill, are more likely to catch a virus, or increase our risk of diseases. Additionally, like our physical health, we need to be as mindful of taking care of our mental health. Research shows that when we take care of our mental health, we are better able to cope with stressful situations, work productively, and realize our full potential. 

While we can continue to devote time expounding on the equitable importance of our mental health to our physical health, it’s also imperative that we recognize the role that stigma has played in the reduced awareness and acceptance of mental health and the vital role it plays in our overall wellbeing. Fred Rogers stated, “Anything that is human is mentionable, and anything that is more mentionable is more manageable. When we talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” Stigma thrives in silence, and one way to combat stigma is to have open, honest, empathetic, non-judgmental conversations about our various mental health journeys-proving that we share common experiences, proving that creating supportive communities aids to dismantle the stigma associated with mental illness, and proving that speaking up about our thoughts, feelings, and experiences-being vulnerable-is a strength. World Mental Health Day champions these efforts. At DCB, we seek to normalize sharing our authentic experiences in a safe, supportive, and collaborative school community. At DCB, we seek to normalize that collective strength is found in sharing. 

There are numerous, practical ways we can take care of our mental health. Asking for help when you need it, getting enough sleep, connecting with people you trust, engaging in positive self-talk, staying physically active, and eating healthily are all ways to boost your mental health. Sometimes a student might struggle with their mental health due to biological factors (e.g., genes or brain chemistry), life experiences (e.g., traumatic events, abuse, difficult family or financial situations, a global pandemic) or have a family history of mental health difficulties. They might notice this in their mood, having no energy, sleeping too much or too little, feeling anxious, feeling helpless or hopeless, engaging in self-harming behaviours, inability to perform daily tasks or having thoughts of suicide. It is very normal for everyone to struggle with their mental health sometimes. It is important to realize that there is always help available.

This year at DCB, one of the pillars is Wellbeing. Given the constant background stress of the global pandemic, uncertain restrictions and on-and-off online school, the need to focus on wellbeing has only been heightened. Fortunately, students have access to a wide support system of tutors, teachers, Heads of Year, and staff members at DCB. As part of our wellbeing model, they are also taught how they can take care of their physical and mental health in their monthly Life Skills lessons. 

If a student wishes to seek additional support in school, they also have access to the counselling service where they can talk to a professional about how they can boost their mental health. Besides supporting them at home, encourage your children to utilize the numerous resources that are available to them. 

Sunday 10 October was World Mental Health Awareness Day. Let’s not just reserve the conversation for one day, but rather embed it into our daily conversations, influencing the way we raise our young people. Doing so will better prepare them for all the opportunities and challenges the world has to offer. From this day on, let’s give ourselves the gift of prioritizing our mental health; we deserve it. 

关注心理健康

英文撰稿者：

Kindall Tyson, M.Ed., LPC, NCC & Tessa Van Der Meiden

在北京德威，当我们说起身心健康或心理健康时，我们到底在讨论什么？

很多人都明白在生活中要照顾好我们的身体和健康。我们知道要均衡饮食，减少摄入不健康的食物，经常锻炼，呼吸新鲜空气，在冬天注意保暖。如果我们不遵循这些，我们可能会生病，还有可能感染病毒，或者增加我们患病的风险。就像身体健康一样，我们也需要注意照顾我们的心理健康。研究表明，当我们关注自己的心理健康时，我们能更好地应对压力，更有效地工作，并充分发挥自己的潜力。

虽然我们可以花很多时间阐述心理健康和身体健康的同等重要性，但我们也要意识到在心理健康的认知和接受方面，耻辱感起到的负面作用，进而对整体的身心健康产生了负面影响。美国著名儿童节目制作人Fred Rogers说：“任何人性的东西都是可以说出来的，任何更容易说出来的东西都是更好管理的。当我们能说出自己的感受时，就会不那么压抑、不那么烦躁、也不那么恐惧。”沉默是耻辱感的沃土，与耻辱感作斗争的一种方法是公开、诚实、有同理心、不带偏见的谈论我们各种心理健康历程，证明我们有着共同的类似的经历，证明创建支持性社区有助于消除与心理疾病相关的耻辱感，并证明说出我们的想法、感受和经历，展示我们的脆弱是一种颇有力量的行为。这也是世界心理健康日所支持的。在北京德威，我们寻求在一个安全的、支持性的和协作的学校社区中正常化分享我们的真实体验。在北京德威，我们寻求正常化分享的集体力量。

促进心理健康的方法有很多。当你需要帮助的时候寻求帮助，充足的睡眠，与你信任的人保持联系，积极的自我鼓励，坚持运动，健康的饮食都是促进心理健康的方法。有时，学生可能会因为一些外部原因而出现心理健康问题，可能是生理原因（如基因或大脑的化学反应）、或者生活经历（如创伤事件、虐待、困难的家庭或经济状况、疫情）、或遗传。他们可能会发现自己情绪不好，没有精神，睡得太多或太少，感到焦虑，感到无助或绝望，会有自残行为，无法完成日常任务或有自杀想法。对每个人来说，偶尔出现心理健康问题是很正常的。重要的是要认识到，总是会有寻求帮助的选择。

今年北京德威的支柱之一是身心健康。考虑到疫情所带来的持续性的压力、不确定性以及穿插进行的线上线下教学，关注身心健康变得越发必要。幸运的是，学生们可以获得由北京德威的班主任、老师、校长和工作人员组成的广泛的支持系统。作为我们身心健康模块的一部分，他们还可以在每个月的生活技能课程中学习如何照顾自己的身心健康。

如果学生希望在校内寻求额外的支持，他们也可以获得心理咨询服务，可以与专业人士讨论如何改善他们的心理健康。家长们除了在家里为孩子提供支持，还要鼓励你的孩子充分利用身边的资源。

10月10日星期日是世界心理健康日。希望我们不仅仅在这一天里讨论心理健康，而是把这个话题融入到我们的日常对话中，从而影响我们培养年轻人的方式。这将帮助他们为未来世界的所有机遇和挑战做好准备。从今天开始，让我们给自己一份礼物：关注我们的心理健康。这是我们都值得拥有的大礼。

文章转载自：【北京德威英国国际学校】