Semana de la Salud Mental Infantil

Semana de la Salud Mental Infantil

Children’s mental health is important all year round, 24/7.

However, an awareness week helps to focus in on:

• ¿Por qué la salud mental es tan importante para los jóvenes?
• and simple steps to support positive mental health for children and teens.

The awareness week by charity Lugar2Be offers good resources in support of mental health for young people.

The awareness week theme ‘Conectemos‘ resonates with our teaching programme Niños conectados!

We teach that a connection to our breath, the world, other people and our own internal resources offers a deep sense of belonging.  Nos ayuda a sentirnos fuertes, pensar con claridad y afrontar la vida de forma positiva.

We want this for young people – true?

Especially in a world that makes many demands on their attention and abilities, and puts a strain on children’s mental health.

Giving young people the mindful skills to navigate this is a life-long ability that serves them for all areas of life – work, play, realtionships, success and health.

The paperchain analogy by lugar2be appeals as each link of the chain can represent an idea/image or word that helps young people to realise what connects them to the world and to themselves.

Desde una perspectiva consciente/meditación, we would suggest a few ideas to help young people create the chain and link it to their mental wellbeing.

Color

The colours we choose are significant. They communicate to ourselves (and others) the condition of our energy at any given moment.  On the Connected Kids program we frequently refer to energy and the language of colour.   If you are teaching meditation it’s an easy and subtle way for children to articulate their needs – through the colours they choose.

Paying attention to these colours can help us understand their needs a little more.

• Rojo – fuerza/seguridad,
• Orange – fun, playfulness, relationships,
• Amarillo – confianza, sentirse bien consigo mismo,
• Rosa – ¡necesitan un abrazo!,
• Verde – gratitud, compasión, pertenencia,
• Azul: encontrar las palabras para expresar lo que sienten.
• Púrpura: explorar su imaginación y ayudarlos a resolver problemas.
• Blanco: su lugar en el mundo y cómo pertenecen a él.

Meditación con color

We use colour in meditations to help children feel more balanced and at ease.  The colour they choose for the meditation is the one their energy is lacking (see the list above for reference) so their energy can become more balanced.  In our Libro Calm Kids we have a meditation script that talks you through using colour.  Or you might like to try our Club de Meditación (for all ages/abilities) that offers a colour meditation audio to practice. This meditation will help self-soothe anxious children or assist their sleep.

Y la meditación funciona para todas las edades: jóvenes y mayores.

Wellbeing Paperchain Meditation

This is an guided meditation for young people using the colour paperchain analogy we created for childrens mental health week.

Getting started – meditation script outline

Find a quiet space where you can sit or lie down comfortably. Close your eyes gently and take a deep breath in… and slowly breathe out.

Now, imagine in front of you are colourful links of a paperchain.  But they are not yet connected, all lie in front of you as individual pieces. Each link of the chain is a different colour, and each one holds a special meaning just for you.

We are going to create su well-being chain—filled with thoughts, feelings, and breaths that help you feel strong, calm, and connected.

The First Link – Feeling safe
Picture the first link appearing in front of you. This link is red and it’s purpose is to help you feel grounded and safe.

Take a breath in, and as you breathe out slowly you notice it connects to the next link in your paperchain.

The Second Link – A Happy Memory
This link is orange and as you imagine it, you notice it holds a warm, joyful memory—something that makes you smile. Maybe it’s a time you laughed with a friend, hugged someone you love, or a hobby you enjoy. Let yourself feel the happiness of that moment.

Take a breath in, and as you breathe out slowly you notice it connects to the next link in your paperchain.

The Third Link – Confidence
Another link appears as it connects to your paperchain – this one is yellow.  It shines with strength and courage. It reminds you that even when life feels busy or stressful, you can always return to your breath, to your safe place within.  You can control how you feel by turning towards that breath and breathing out anything that makes you feel unhappy.

Take a breath in, and as you breathe out slowly imagine how it connects to the next link in your paperchain and the feeling of calm and peace becomes clearer.

The Fourth Link – Kindness  
This next link is pink and represents kindness—kindness to yourself and to others. Imagine someone you care about, sending them a warm, kind thought.  And as you do this, they are sending the same kind thought back to you! Let that feeling fill your heart.

Take a breath in, and as you breathe out slowly imagine how it connects to the next link in your paperchain and the feeling of love becomes stronger.

The Fifth Link – Communication
This is a blue link and this one helps you imagine how to ask for help when you need it.  This colour gives you the ability to sing, draw or write what is in your heart.

Take a breath in and as you breathe out slowly imagine how it connects to the next link in your paperchain and how you grow in confidence in speaking up for yourself and others.

The Sixth Link – Imagination
This is a purple link and this one helps you imagine that out in the universe is the answer to any problems you have.  You just need to imagine the answer!  Imagine your mind becoming clearer and closer to the answer with each breath.

The Seventh Link – Connection
This is a white link and this one brings all the links together in one beautiful paperchain.  As you imagine placing that chain around your shoulders, you feel more connected to the world with the energy of peace and love.  You feel the earth underneath your body supporting you.  The sky above you filled with light and stars.  The air around you giving you each breath to breathe.

Your paperchain is now complete, linking together all the things that help you feel safe, happy, and strong. Imagine feeling it around you and feeling the love and support it brings. You deserve this beautiful feeling.

Whenever you need a moment of calm, strength, or joy, you can return to this chain – imagine it in your mind—adding new links when you need to, breathing deeply, and reminding yourself that you are connected to the universe.

Take one more deep breath in… and slowly out. When you’re ready, gently open your eyes, carrying the energy of your paperchain with you into your day.

Would you like to create and teach meditations like this?

Descubre el programa Niños Conectados…

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(This blog post was created for the 2023 children mental health awareness week).