Mental health and well-being of new arrivals 

What is mental health?

Mental health is a state that enables children to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities to learn well, work well, and contribute to their community.

It is heart-wrenching to consider the immense challenges and losses that many new arrivals have faced before reaching the UK. Mental health plays a crucial role in enabling children to navigate these difficulties and find resilience in their unfamiliar environment. The overlap between academic success and well-being underscores the importance of providing holistic support to help these children thrive. Creating a supportive and nurturing community where they can feel safe, valued, and understood is paramount in their journey towards healing and integration.

Supporting techniques for children who have experienced trauma

The practical interventions are essential for supporting both the academic progress and mental health and well-being of children who are new arrivals and have experienced trauma.

• Peer support - Encouraging connections with peers can provide a sense of belonging and understanding, fostering emotional support and friendship during the adjustment period.
• Period of adjustment - Acknowledging and allowing for a period of adjustment helps children adjust to their new environment at their own pace, reducing stress and anxiety.
• Welcome and inclusion - Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment promotes a sense of safety and acceptance, essential for building trust and confidence.
• Language support and extra academic support - Providing language support and additional academic assistance helps children overcome language barriers and catch up academically, boosting confidence and sense of achievement.
• Grounding statements - Offering grounding statements reinforces a sense of safety and stability, reminding children that they have overcome past trauma and are now in a secure environment.
• Grounding across the five senses - Engaging the senses helps children stay present and connected to the here and now, reducing the likelihood of being overwhelmed by traumatic memories.
• Body movement - Encouraging physical movement allows children to release tension and stress stored in the body, promoting relaxation and a sense of control.
• Updating - Reminding children of their current knowledge and capabilities reinforces their sense of growth and progress since the time of trauma, empowering them with a positive outlook for the future.
• Same/Different - Contrasting the present with the past helps children recognize positive changes and accomplishments, fostering a sense of hope and resilience.
• Imagery work - teaching children techniques to control their mental imagery empowers them to manage intrusive thoughts and memories, promoting a sense of agency and control over their mental well-being
• Nightmare re-scripting - Providing tools for rewriting nightmares helps children regain a sense of control over their dreams, reducing the impact of trauma-related sleep disturbances and promoting restful sleep.

Implementing these interventions in a supportive and compassionate manner can significantly enhance the academic progress and overall well-being of children who have experienced trauma and are adjusting to a new environment.

World Mental Health Day is happening on 10th October, find out more in Elaine Robson's latest article.