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Original poster

Mental health break out room

39 replies

AwesomeSauce4 · 10/04/2022 16:16

If your child's school had a break out room, where children could go if they were suffering from mental health difficulties, what would you like to see in there?

OP posts:
Piper22 · 10/04/2022 16:18

Bean bags, fidget toys, sensory lights

Bright but calm colours

Artichokeleaves · 10/04/2022 16:21

Someone staffing it who knew the vulnerable children and their soothers, preferably nurture trained.

colouringfoxes · 10/04/2022 16:22

Some kind of monitoring so it didn't become an illicit hangout space.
Comfy seating, maybe a beanbag if it can be kept non-grotty. Few blankets.
Some stuff for stress. Stim toys (stuff that isn't trendy, or it'll get stolen, ie no popits), maybe a punching bag or similar if there's kids that may need to work out some anger or frustration.
Non-fluorescent, dimmable lighting.
Depending on age of children, maybe a little teepee/tent type space, lots of kids find it calming to be in a smaller space.
Something weighted, e.g. lap pad or weighted blanket (lap pad easier to keep clean).

Original poster
AwesomeSauce4 · 10/04/2022 16:39

I only have £30,000 to donate so I would assume that it would be staffed by volunteers.

Thank you for the ideas, I'm taking it all in.

OP posts:
HumbugWhale · 10/04/2022 16:46

Potted plants on window sill. If there is space outside then bird feeders and plants/flowers for children to look at or maybe even help look after. Nature and greenery is very good for our mental health.

colouringfoxes · 10/04/2022 17:48

If the school has a id card system (again, really need to know if primary or secondary), access could be given via the card to those children who need it.

Original poster
AwesomeSauce4 · 10/04/2022 18:10

@colouringfoxes

If the school has a id card system (again, really need to know if primary or secondary), access could be given via the card to those children who need it.
That's a really interesting concept. I would hope that the room would be inclusive to both primary and secondary. An ID card system is a really good idea, thank you.
OP posts:
Greatoutdoors · 10/04/2022 18:12

Headphones and some kind of music device- whatever the modern day equivalent of a Walkman is. iPod?

NovemberRain2 · 10/04/2022 18:46

Sounds very risky and I can see it being abused. So a member of staff to monitor the kids, books, desks as well as soft seating. No ipads or at least no non-educational tech. Lots of plants and natural light. No talking to each other.

Original poster
AwesomeSauce4 · 10/04/2022 19:30

@NovemberRain2

Sounds very risky and I can see it being abused. So a member of staff to monitor the kids, books, desks as well as soft seating. No ipads or at least no non-educational tech. Lots of plants and natural light. No talking to each other.
Genuine question. In what way could you see it being abused? And why no talking to each other?
OP posts:
Original poster
AwesomeSauce4 · 10/04/2022 19:31

@Greatoutdoors

Headphones and some kind of music device- whatever the modern day equivalent of a Walkman is. iPod?
Another really good idea, thank you.
OP posts:
NovemberRain2 · 10/04/2022 20:13

Risky that kids could choose it to get out of lessons rather than for genuine MH needs. If they fall behind in learning, that has a high risk of worsening their MH and anxiety.

No talking to each other because it needs to be a quiet space to allow reflection and learning. Also would be counter productive for kids who need to be away from noise and stimulation.

Original poster
AwesomeSauce4 · 10/04/2022 20:41

@NovemberRain2

Risky that kids could choose it to get out of lessons rather than for genuine MH needs. If they fall behind in learning, that has a high risk of worsening their MH and anxiety.

No talking to each other because it needs to be a quiet space to allow reflection and learning. Also would be counter productive for kids who need to be away from noise and stimulation.

This is why I asked for advice because I wouldn't want it to be abused, which is why the ID card is a really good idea.

But not allowing anyone to speak to each other? That's crazy! It's supposed to be all inclusive. Not talking to anyone defeats the whole point of this room where you can discuss anything with anyone.

OP posts:
NovemberRain2 · 10/04/2022 20:43

That's my view, as someone who works in education.

Artichokeleaves · 10/04/2022 21:05

It would be a good idea to go and visit some of the many primary schools that have a space like this, very often called the nurture room or serving the purpose of a nurture room, and talk to the staff about what resources they use and find most helpful, and learn about how it works.

These spaces are used generally by kids in urgent need, it isn't work dodging and it's often the difference between managing to keep a child with needs on site without tables getting thrown, someone getting hurt, or the child becoming so distressed and overwhelmed that they can't cope any more and have to go home.

Saltyquiche · 10/04/2022 21:14

Weighted blanket, throws
Fidget toys
Sensory lighting
Comics like the beano for distraction
Cushions with different textures
Visiting pets
Hot water bottle

Greatoutdoors · 10/04/2022 21:15

I’d put blankets in there too - they are very soothing. Weighted and unweighted.

It’s a lot about what isn’t in there too, so desks which can be repositioned in front of or away from windows (if it is going to be used for pupils to do their work) depending on needs, take out all the big bright wall displays and keep it simple in decor, and depending on the age you are working with I have seen little tents or tipis in the corner for those kids who really like to cocoon themselves. Probably some big teddies that can be hugged.

Saltyquiche · 10/04/2022 21:16

It’s a great idea, will be a critical facility for the increasing numbers of children struggling

Itsallrocknroll · 10/04/2022 21:25

Lego, playdough and colouring books ( mindfulness and relaxing) blinds on windows, blankets ( ideally weighted ) .

colouringfoxes · 10/04/2022 22:19

It's a great idea but as PP have said, could be difficult due to staffing issues etc. As a kid I would have loved it but it definitely would have been at risk of being taken over by the popular crowd and thus defeating the point, so some careful thought will be needed.

I'm getting the impression that you don't have a specific school setting in mind yet? Because you'll probably get the best ideas by consulting with staff and students in a particular school on what is needed.

mumsys · 26/04/2022 16:53

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

SRK16 · 26/04/2022 16:57

I think the key issue will be staffing cover, as there will be concerns about vulnerable young people using the space and absconding/self harming. So you’d need the school to agree to how this would work.. this has been the major barrier with all schools I’ve worked with, regardless of what kind of space it may be.

Testina · 26/04/2022 16:57

AwesomeSauce4 · 10/04/2022 16:39

I only have £30,000 to donate so I would assume that it would be staffed by volunteers.

Thank you for the ideas, I'm taking it all in.

I wouldn’t be throwing £30K at anything that I had to make assumptions about the running of!

TeenPlusCat · 26/04/2022 16:59

access to room 'via' a member of pastoral care.

colouring. playdough. a guinea pig.

Innocenta · 26/04/2022 17:00

No live animals! It would be awful if they got hurt by mistake.

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