Encouraging Resilience in Student Mental Health
Resilience, the ability to bounce back from challenges, adapt to change, and thrive despite adversity, is a critical skill for children to navigate today’s complex world. With student mental health taking center stage globally, fostering resilience in young people is more vital than ever.
At Kingsley, Devon, we understand that developing resilience goes hand in hand with supporting children's mental health in schools. To help promote resilience our innovative approach goes beyond academics; it encompasses nutrition, physical health, outdoor learning and mental health.
Our school ethos is simple:
“ Achieving success and happiness through positive mental health and wellbeing“
Our sole aim is for our students to be successful and happy at Kingsley.
Drawing on global insights and Kingsley's programs, this guide outlines actionable strategies for parents, educators, and communities to help children develop resilience.
Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes
1. Create a Supportive Environment
Children thrive in environments where they feel safe, understood, and supported. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescent well-being is significantly influenced by the environments they grow up in—including homes, schools, and communities.
Kingsley is a school with a family feel, every child is known, and their unique strengths are appreciated and celebrated. Its ethos is centered on fostering positive relationships and a sense of belonging, aligning with global best practices:
- Encouraging Open Dialogue: At Kingsley, we promote open conversations about students' mental health through assemblies, wellbeing days, and dedicated forums, ensuring every student feels heard.
- Encouraging Open Communication: We make it easy for children to express their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment. Active listening builds trust and helps children process their feelings.
- Setting Boundaries: Kingsley provides a predictable routine, and clear boundaries provide children with a sense of security, helping them navigate life’s uncertainties with confidence.
- Promoting Inclusivity: We are lucky to have a strong international student presence at Kingsley and are passionate about teaching children to appreciate diversity and accept differences in themselves and others, which fosters empathy and mutual respect.
2. Teach Emotional Regulation and Coping Strategies Skills
Emotional regulation is at the heart of resilience. Children need tools to understand, manage, and express their emotions constructively. Student Mental health experts recommend the following techniques:
- Mindfulness Practices: Simple mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing or guided imagery, can help children manage stress and remain present during challenging moments.
- Labeling Emotions: Encourage children to name their feelings (“I feel frustrated,” “I’m nervous”) as a way to understand and address them.
- Problem-Solving Skills: When faced with challenges, guide children in brainstorming solutions and evaluating their effectiveness.
- Encourage Creative Outlets: Art, music, journaling, or other creative pursuits can help children process emotions and reduce stress.
- Model Self-Care: Show children that prioritizing mental health is important by practicing self-care yourself.
Kingsley is committed to incorporating these techniques into our expansive curriculum and supporting children's mental health in schools. Nevertheless, at times, children need additional support, and recognising early signs of stress and providing timely interventions is key to effective mental health management. Kingsley has a wellbing center with school counsellors and pastoral care staff. These professionals are equipped to identify signs of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues early on. Plus, all teachers are trained to monitor and provide the well being support.
For year 10 & 11 students, Kingsley ASDAN courses are available. The Life Skills Challenge Programme empowers students to engage in various practical challenges tailored to their interests while preparing them for the real-world situations as they transition into adulthood. Covering a diverse range of subject areas, the programme ensures that learning remains engaging, relevant, and enjoyable and is an effective way to promote resilience.
3. Encourage Healthy Relationships
Healthy relationships, with peers, family, and mentors are key to building resilience. Relationships offer children a sense of belonging and a network of support when challenges arise.
At Kingsley, relationships are at the heart of resilience. By modeling empathy and promoting peer support, the school builds a caring community:
- Peer Support Programs: Kingsley's partnership with The Diana Award equips trained student mentors to provide empathetic listening and guidance.
- Social Connection Through Activities: The Expansive Curriculum offers opportunities for teamwork and bonding through sports, outdoor education, arts, and community service, including The Ten Tors and The Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
- Proactive Bullying Prevention: Clear anti-bullying policies and regular feedback ensure a safe, respectful environment for all students. The students are also actively leading the way by becoming anti-bullying ambassadors.
4. Integrating Student Mental and Physical Well-Being
A holistic approach to resilience combines mental health with physical well-being. Kingsley excels in this area with innovative programs:
- The Blue Minds Program: Leveraging its location in a UNESCO Biosphere, Kingsley connects students with nature through surfing, biodiversity exploration, and mindfulness activities by the sea.
- Healthy Lifestyle Initiatives: Nutritious meals are essential to focus and well being. Combined with physical education, and outdoor activities these healthy lifestyle choices, which are actively promoted at Kingsley, help students maintain balance and vitality.
- Expansive Curriculum: Kingsley Devon offers a wide range of extracurricular opportunities that contribute to the wellness of students and staff alike.
Our 5 Expansive Curriculum Pathways are;
- Sport - from traditional team sports to niche individual sports, from entry and recreational level to elite performance.
- Outdoor Education - fully use our incredible location on the coast, bordering 2 national parks.
- Arts - all students in Years 5-9 complete their relevant Arts Award level, while the school continues its journey towards the Artsmark Platinum Award.
- STEM - recently awarded the SEMQ Gold Award, our project-based STEM develops curiosity and inquisitive minds.
- Earth Centre - we take full advantage of our status as an education partner of the UNESCO Biosphere of North Devon.
5. Leveraging Technology Mindfully
In 2025, technology plays a central role in children’s lives. While it offers numerous benefits, excessive or unregulated use can negatively impact student mental health.
Some recommended guidelines to consider at home are:
- Set Screen Time Limits: Balance screen time with offline activities to promote well-rounded development.
- Promote Positive Content: Encourage children to engage with educational and uplifting content.
- Teach Digital Resilience: Equip children to handle online challenges, such as cyberbullying or misinformation, by fostering critical thinking and encouraging them to seek support when needed.
During school time, Kingsley’s approach emphasizes balance and digital resilience:
- Screen Time Limits: Encouraging offline activities complements digital learning and recreation.
- Promoting Positive Digital Experiences: Students engage with uplifting content and learn to critically evaluate online information.
- Internet Safety: Online safety forms a fundamental part of Kingsley’s safeguarding and child protection measures. Kingsley's pastoral care team addresses online challenges and empowers students to seek help, ensuring we support children's mental health in our schools.
6. Encouraging Purpose and Passion
A sense of purpose fuels resilience, and Kingsley helps students discover what drives them:
- Expansive Curriculum Pathways: From STEM to the arts, outdoor education, and sports, Kingsley offers avenues for students to explore their interests and talents.
- Community Engagement: Volunteering projects instill a sense of gratitude and accomplishment.
- Aspiration Building: Kingsley’s ethos inspires students to set meaningful goals and take confident steps toward their dreams.
- Develop a Growth Mindset: A commitment to helping our students understand that abilities and intelligence can develop through effort and learning—encourages children to embrace challenges, learn from failure, and develop resilience.
Resilience in Action: Kingsley's Holistic Approach
At Kingsley Devon, resilience is woven into the fabric of everyday school life. From wellbeing centers to dedicated programs like The Blue Minds initiative, the school demonstrates how integrated support systems can help children thrive. As educators, we are committed to creating environments that nurture students mental health, happiness, and resilience.
Resilience isn’t just a skill—it’s a necessity. By prioritizing student mental health and well-being, we can equip the next generation to face life’s challenges with courage, adaptability, and strength.
