Mental Health & Young People
Webmaster • March 6, 2020
Supporting Young people in Schools - Extract from A&B Diocese News
WE KNOW THAT more and more people are living with poor mental health and that this is having a devastating impact on individuals and communities. Young people of all ages are facing unprecedented pressures in life, leading to anxiety, depression, self-harm and eating
disorders. Right now, more and more young people are struggling to cope with their mental health. For this reason,
the health and well-being of young people is a key priority in all our schools. As an Education Service, we believe a nurturing school
community can have a significant impact on a young person’s emotional well-being and welfare. Our family of schools have
a vital role to play in supporting pupils’ mental health and well-being; good mental health allows pupils to develop resilience, engage fully in their learning and grow into healthy adults. For a student’s well-being to thrive during school hours, teachers need the skills, confidence and knowledge to nurture young people’s development. Equally, we recognise that teachers need to be supported with their own
mental health and well-being throughout their career. In the Autumn Term the Diocesan Education Service ran a two-day Mental Health First Aid course to promote the role of Mental Health Champions in school. The two-day course provided delegates with:
• an in depth understanding of young people’s mental health and factors that affect well-being;
• practical skills to spot triggers and signs of mental
health issues;
• confidence to reassure and support a young person in
distress;
• enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgmental
listening;
• knowledge to help a young person recover their health
by guiding them to further support—whether that’s
through self-help sites, their place of learning, the
NHS, or a mix-
• engaging with parents, carers and external agencies
where appropriate;
• ability to support a young person with a long-term
• mental health issue or disability to thrive;
• tools to look after your own mental well-being.
The training, which was warmly received by all participants, ensured that all trainees could return to their school
communities confidently equipped to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid
basis. As part of their Catholic mission, schools are encouraged to be proactive and take positive action to establish communities
where pupils and staff are nurtured and supported. Increasingly, we see more and more outstanding examples in our schools where emotional well-being is being placed at the heart of the school curriculum. Where best practice is evident, whole-school approaches
and activities designed to ensure pupils and teachers can thrive include things like:
• Designated mental health leads
• Mental health and well-being governors
• Mindfulness and meditation sessions
• Cognitive behaviour therapy
• Thrive programmes
• Rainbows – bereavement programme
• PSHE and SEAL programmes
• Activities to promote exercise
• Forest school approaches
• Circle time;
• Classes on self-esteem and resilience;
• School pastoral teams and home liaison workers.
To support schools in developing this practice further, future training days on Mental Health and Well-Being are being scheduled.
Schools will have the opportunity to learn from experts in this field and share best practice case studies
from their own school setting. For more information about Mental Health and WellBeing training in schools, please contact Claire Martin,
CPD Administrator at: claire.martin@abdiocese.org.uk
Article obtained from A&B News - Read More Here
Next Sunday, 21 June, we keep the Day for Life. This year’s theme, “The Wonder of the Child in the Womb,” invites us to pause in gratitude for the gift of new life. It also holds in prayer all parents who have experienced the loss of a child before birth, and the quiet grief that can follow. The bishops’ message and prayers are available at: www.dayforlife.org , if you would like to spend some time reflecting at home. There will be a second collection for the Day for Life Fund, which supports groups working to uphold the dignity of every human life. If you prefer, you can also donate online through the Day for Life website.
OLQP First Holy Communion: 7th June 2026 Congratulations to all our First Holy Communion children. There will be a parish celebration after the 9.00am mass at St Peter’s this Sunday 14th June, with cake and certificates. All are welcome.
Sat 13 OLQP Bible Film Group Sun 14 SP Parish Room, 10.00am: First Holy Communion Celebration Mon 15 Anniversary of Deacon Simon’s ordination Thur 18 SP Parish Room, 10.00am: Coffee pop-in Sat 20 OLQP Bible Film Group Sun 21 2nd Collection: Day for Life
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) is holding a Join the Fightback Day this weekend. SPUC works to promote a culture that protects unborn children. A recent amendment passed by Parliament removes legal penalties for women who end their own pregnancies at any stage. This change has prompted concern among many individuals and organisations. SPUC is inviting supporters to learn more and get involved. Information postcards are available in the church porch.
We will be holding a special Mass in our parish on Saturday 27 June for the Unborn and their parents. During this Mass, we will pray in a particular way for all parents and families who have experienced the loss of a child before birth or through stillbirth, entrusting them to God’s tenderness and healing. All are welcome to come, to pray, and to hold these families in compassion and hope.
Some people might be confused by the transfer of the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua in our diocese from his normal date of 13 June to Monday. This is due to the celebration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Saturday which always follows directly after the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The hearts of Jesus and Mary cannot be separated. Saint Anthony would want to submit to them both. He wanted to always be close to Jesus and Mary. He preached and lived that others might catch a glimpse of them both and be converted. Saint Anthony experienced for himself the love and compassion of Jesus and it became real for him - Jesus was real to him. Jesus and Saint Anthony's hearts were intertwined. Jesus wants no one to be lost and Saint Anthony preached that souls not things might be found. Jesus has compassion on the crowd and He asks His disciples to pray for labourers to protect His flock and to do this He gives us His Church to preach, teach and heal with His authority. We must listen to His voice and do as He says. The harvest is ready and the Kingdom of Heaven is very close. He is close at hand. Let us submit to Jesus and stay close to His heart. Listen to His heartbeat and adore Him in the Blessed Sacrament. Allow Him to minister to us and to take authority in our lives. May He live is us and we hide in Him. With my prayer and united in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. God bless you. Fr Graham
OLQP First Holy Communion: 7th June 2026 Please pray for Antonia, Daniel, Nuala, Orlagh and Samuel, who are receiving their First Holy Communion this Sunday at St Peter’s. Please pray for their families and the catechists
In a parish in southern Lebanon last Sunday 50 children received their First Holy Communion with great joy amidst the fear of missile attacks (EWTN News). Today we rejoice as 5 of our young parishioners receive their First Holy Communion. The context could not be more different but sadly not unique. We take it for granted that we can gather in peace, practice our faith and receive the sacraments. Today's Mass is unlikely to make the news headlines of EWTN. But every celebration of Mass and reception of Holy Communion is of universal and eternal significance. A Holy Communion received with love, reverence, sincerity and faith can change the world. It brings about change just as the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ. Jesus says that His "flesh is true food and (His) blood is true drink" and Saint Paul reminds us that we participate in the body and blood of Christ. There can be no ambiguity here. To be united to Jesus and communion with Him is expressed in our Holy Communion whether it is the first, one hundredth or last time. The gift and sacrifice of Jesus, given on the cross and in the Mass perpetuates in the Tabernacle. He is here. The graces received can be extended in adoring Jesus in the monstrance on the altar. We and many parishes have opportunities for this. You can even watch online. The angels prostrate before Him. The benefits are many. But ultimately, in adoring the Blessed Sacrament we see Jesus face to face and it is His face that we seek and yearn for always and everywhere. With my prayer for an increase love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. God bless you. Fr Graham
Throughout Lent, please bring your personal prayer intentions to our Prayer Boxes (both at St Peter’s and CTK). At St Peter’s, we already have the Prayer Tree, located in the Divine Mercy Chapel, which is regularly used by parishioners and visitors throughout the day. We have added a Prayer Box here, and one at CTK (in the entrance porch). You are warmly invited to write your personal prayer intentions on a small card and place them in the Prayer Box. If you are unable to get to church, you can email them to the office for inclusion, or via the contact form on our website. The names and intentions placed in the Prayer Boxes and on the Prayer Tree will usually be offered at the First Friday Mass, united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. After this Mass, the Prayer Box will be refreshed for the following month. Please note: the prayer intentions will remain private. They will not be read aloud. The aim is to ensure that our intentions remain current and meaningful
Saturday 18 July 12 noon – 4.15pm , Church of Our Lady of Consolation & St Francis, West Grinstead, RH13 8LT. A pilgrimage for people across our diocese - the day includes Holy Mass, a personal Consecration to Our Lady, the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, Exposition, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Adoration and Benediction. There is no need to book, to find out more contact Linda C-Dominguez T:01273463463 or M:07944377252. Please bring a packed lunch.