Learning from Home – 5 Ways to Keep a Healthy Mind and Continue to use Your Voice

Published 06/04/2020   |   Last Updated 05/05/2021   |   Reading Time minutes

This is a difficult time for you. We understand that you are staying at home, and that that is where you will have to stay for most of your day. During this strange time, we wanted to share a  list of things that you can do to stay positive and keep your mind healthy:

  1. Browse the resources on the Information Hub of the Children's Commissioner for Wales

    The Information Hub of the Children's Commissioner is a new resource that explains the situation regarding the Coronavirus, provides updates and offers help and practical steps that young people can take during this time https://www.complantcymru.org.uk/coronavirus/. It provides all kinds of useful advice, from links to fitness lessons with Jo Wicks to advice on how not to be anxious about the situation. There is also a section for your parents, which provides them with advice on home learning.

  2. Fill in the Welsh Youth Parliament’s Emotional and Mental Health survey
    The Youth Parliament is running a survey seeking to gather views on your mental health, your coping mechanisms and the support that is available for young people. We would like to hear from you. Watch the video and then answer the questions https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/mentalhealth-youth. Watch a video of the consultation launch at Gower College https://youtu.be/OP-fNmvYIfs

  3. Things to keep you busy and keep your mind healthy
    Many of these websites have useful advice on how to maintain good mental health during this period. The advantage is that they are all specialist organisations, so you can contact them for support or to obtain loads of useful information. Browse the list below:
    > Mind Cymru https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/, and there’s a dedicated page to coronavirus here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing
    > Platfform – Mental Health Specialists https://vimeo.com/platfformyp
    > Urdd – home-based activities for children and young people of all ages https://www.urdd.cymru/cy/ieuenctid/criw/, and there’s a dedicated page for those aged 14 and older https://www.urdd.cymru/cy/ieuenctid/criw/criw-14/

  4. Keep using your voice - Littering and Plastic Waste
    Although this is a challenging time for everyone, and the Coronavirus situation is commanding everyone’s attention, we understand that a number of other issues remain high on your agenda as young people. As such, the Welsh Youth Parliament is keen to hear from you about your habits and practices in terms of recycling and reusing waste and plastics. They are eager to hear your views. Watch the video explaining the survey and then complete the 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle' survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WYPWaste.

  5. Watch videos of our young people talking about their approaches to boosting their mental health
    Some Welsh Youth Parliament Members are sharing information about what they like to do in order to maintain their own mental health during this time.  Why don’t you try a different approach each day?  Follow @welshyouthparl on Twitter https://twitter.com/WelshYouthParl or @welshyouthparliament on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/welshyouthparliament/.