This module focuses on mental
health and what it means for someone to be mentally healthy. It is important to
appreciate why promoting and maintaining the emotional well-being of children with
SLD/PMLD/CLDD is central to the work of teachers. You will also find
out which approaches, strategies and interventions can help you achieve that objective.
Jade speaks about the positive impact of medication on her well-being. She is supported by a range of professionals and medication is part of her intervention regime. She is taking positive action to manage her own health.
What is health? How would we know if someone
was healthy?
What is mental health? How would we know if someone has good mental
health?
What do we mean by wellbeing? What kinds of factors impact upon
wellbeing?
Around one in eleven children in the UK are not happy with their lives. This is the finding of The Good Childhood Report published in January 2012 by the Children's Society.
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
World
Health Organisation
Health is the basis for a good quality of
life and mental health is of overriding importance in this
UN
Convention of the Rights of the Child, Article 24
When we enjoy good health,
we are able to make the most of the opportunities life has to offer. We can play
a full part in our working lives, our family lives and our community lives …
good health is fundamental to all our lives. We all treasure our own health, and
the health of our families and friends. Good health is the bedrock on which we build
strong families, strong communities …
Saving
Lives: Our Healthier Nation, 1999
World Health Organisation, Official Records of the World Health Organization, no 2, p100.
United Nations (1989) Convention on the Rights of the Child
The Good Childhood Report 2012, The Children's Society
Department of Health (1999) Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation. London: Department of Health.