Introduction

Question 1

Today’s assembly is on mental wellbeing

Answer 1

At TQ we think this topic is important all year round, not just set awareness days/weeks.

Question 2

I want to keep opening up the conversation

Answer 2

reducing the stigma, awkwardness and embarrassment when it comes to talking about how we feel.

Question 3

And, the very simple message I want to pass on today is

Answer 3

it’s ok to not be ok - a message inspired by this book

Question 4

What this means is that

Answer 4

there may be days of moments in days, where we don’t feel okay - where we feel a bit sad, worried or down - and we might not always know why.

Question 5

This is really normal

Answer 5

for adults and young people, but is especially true in the pre-teen and teen years.

Question 6

What’s not okay is

Answer 6

when we hide our worries and stop looking after our mental wellbeing.

Question 7

It’s my own personal experiences

Answer 7

which have given me understanding of this. Experience at secondary school where I’ve had a funny feeling in my tummy on the way in to school which I later learned was due to anxiety/worry. Or my experiences as a parent supporting my children develop resilience when they have struggled with their emotions. And finally, my experiences working with young people for over 20 years, helping raise awareness of issues relating to mental health.

Question 8

So, this isn’t a new thing

Answer 8

and it’s very much just part of being human

Question 9

We will have days, or moments in days

Answer 9

where we don’t feel ok, and it’s important that we are reminded, it’s ok not to be ok