Southborough Hosts Annual Primary Mental Health Conference
Earlier this week, Southborough High School was thrilled to once again open its doors to primary school Mental Health Ambassadors from across the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Hosting this annual conference is an occasion we feel deeply passionate about, and we were completely bowled over by how articulate, enthusiastic, and thoughtful our young visitors were throughout the day.
The background facts surrounding mental wellbeing are sobering: one in three people will be affected by mental health issues at some point in their lives. These challenges manifest in many ways, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, self-harm, addiction, and personality disorders.
At Southborough, we believe it is vital for students to understand that mental illness can affect anyone, at any time. Recognizing the early signs of developing conditions—and knowing how to manage or even prevent their onset—is essential. Equally important is removing the lingering stigma around the subject. That is why mental health awareness is embedded into our Personal Development Programme across all year groups, creating a supportive culture where students feel comfortable opening up and seeking support.
With societal awareness growing that mental health challenges are appearing in increasingly younger children, early intervention is critical. The sooner pupils can discuss and learn about wellbeing, the more resilient they become. This made hosting a dedicated conference for Year 6 pupils all the more meaningful.
Produced and delivered by the Kingston School Health Team, the event saw expert School Health Practitioners run interactive sessions with the fantastic support of our own Mental Health Student Ambassadors.
The primary objective was for Year 6 pupils to craft bespoke action plans to champion mental health in their own primary schools. One School Health Practitioner highlighted the pupils' creativity: "The students came up with some excellent ideas including mental health posters, wellbeing rooms, cake sales, daily meditation, awareness assemblies, and kindness reward charts. I’m confident these comprehensive action lists will help them ‘spread the word’ and support their peers."
We are immensely proud to host such a vital event. Special thanks go to Southborough’s Mental Health Lead Practitioner, Ms Bashir, and the Your Healthcare Team for organising the day. Our student Ambassadors were absolute stars and exemplary role models throughout. Finally, thank you to all the visiting staff and Year 6 pupils for their inspiring energy and participation!
