Wellbeing for the School Community

HSE Health and Wellbeing are offering a free Stress Control programme, beginning on 11 January 2021. Stress Control is an evidence-based programme that teaches you practical skills to deal with stress. The programme helps participants recognise the signs of stress. It covers topics including how stress affects our bodies and our thoughts. It teaches skills to overcome panicky feelings and tips to getting a good night’s sleep. Dr Jim White will give the classes, they are free-of-charge until March. Here is the link to the programme.

Stress Control Course

Text about it is a free 24/7 text service, providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people going through a mental health or emotional crisis - big or small.Text HELLO to 50808 to start a conversation, any time - day or night.

Text About It Website

Here is a link to a resource from school psychologists designed to help parents/guardians manage their stress and anxiety at this time.

Managing Stress and Anxiety for Parents/Guardians

This link will take you to the HSE website and gives a directory of mental health supports and services available during the Covid -19 pandemic.

Mental Health Supports and Services

Wellbeing Resources and Information for Teachers

EAS - Employee Assistance Service
Our Wellbeing Together Employee Assistance Service (EAS) is a confidential programme at no additional cost that provides you and your family members with immediate help and support in managing whatever work or personal issues you are facing. We offer unlimited access for you and your family, to a telephone helpline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Counselling is available to end-users family members. This includes a spouse, civil partner or dependent, where the family member can be described as a person over the age of 18 and residing at the family home.
Email: eap@spectrum.life
Call us on: Freephone: 1800411057 WhatsApp: Text 'Hi' to 087 369 0010 SMS: Text 'Hi' to 087 369 0010

Employee Assistance Service Information

Here is a link to a guide for staff wellbeing and self care from the Department of Education and NEPS.

School Staff Wellbeing and Self Care

Here is a link to help you support the Normalising of Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviours. Covid 19 has caused disruption to our lives. Many children have coped well but, some may find the changes to their usual life and routines stressful. Children will not all respond to this change in the same way, each child will have their own unique coping mechanisms. During this time it is especially important that they take proactive steps to promote their well-being. Staying active, getting enough sleep, eating healthily, limiting their use of technology will help. However if they become stressed and anxious the following information may be helpful.

Normalising Thoughts, Feelings & Behaviours Info for Staff

This is a guide about the way the body responds to stress and about how we can support children and families at times of stress. It is designed for school staff.

The Response to Stress Information for School Staff

This link will take you to the PDST Teacher Wellbeing page. There are many resources here for you to use yourself. There are recipes, guided mediatations, self care tips and a wellbeing course there. There are ideas for nutrition, exercise and mindfulness which you may find helpful.

PDST - Teacher Wellbeing

Information from the Department of Education about the reopening of schools from Junior Infants to second class, and from third to sixth class, from the Dept. of Education published in March 2021.

Advice on the Reopening of Schools - Infants to 2nd Class

Advice on the Reopening of Schools - 3rd to 6th Class