A primary academy in Wakefield has marked Mental Health Awareness Week with a string of events and activities to help children understand and feel comfortable discussing their mental wellbeing.

Children from Outwood Primary Academy Kirkhamgate took the lead at points during the week to discuss and promote the importance of mental health and wellbeing. 

Ava, who is in year 6 at the Brandy Carr Road academy, led an assembly after previously writing to the academy’s principal, Emma Abbott, to discuss the importance of exercise in helping maintain a positive mental wellbeing.

Within her letter, Ava highlighted research that has been produced linking a healthy lifestyle to a healthy, happy mind. During her assembly, Ava took the opportunity to encourage her school friends to make sure they were active to help with their mental wellbeing.

Ava, age 10, said: “I really enjoy being active and playing sport. It makes me smile and feel good about myself. I want everyone to feel happy, so I wrote my letter to Ms Abbott to try and help my school friends. I am really thankful that my teachers let me speak in assembly about something I feel really passionate about.”

The overarching theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, an initiative of the Mental Health Foundation, is Nature. People have been asked to find ways to try and connect with nature.

In a nod to the theme, the academy has launched a photo competition, in which the Mental Wellbeing Champions at the academy have challenged the children to take their best nature photograph with a winner being selected in each class.

Classes have also taken their learning outside in an effort to help children connect with nature, with lessons tailored around the theme. The children from Year 1 embarked on a nature walk while some Year 6 children used their maths and PE skills to help with orienteering challenges.

Emma Abbott, Principal of the Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ primary academy, said: “We are all aware of the importance of a person’s mental wellbeing, especially a young child. This is why we wanted to mark Mental Health Awareness Week in a positive manner, by engaging with the children to help spread awareness and understanding of the subject.

“At Outwood we want our children to leave us as good citizens who can positively contribute to their community and promoting events like Mental Health Awareness Week aid us in achieving our aim.”