"A Bright Future For All" from the Mental Health Foundation
In November 2005, the Mental Health Foundation produced an information pack entitled "A Bright Future for All: Promoting Mental Health in Education".
The pack is concerned with the protection and promotion of children and young people's mental health as being an investment for life. It states the importance of schools and colleges in providing the most important settings for activities promoting mental health.
Circle Time receives a special mention (p.36), and the document The document supports the use of Circle Time in primary settings for, amongst other things, increasing self-awareness and self-esteem. It also notes that, with some thought, it can be very useful in secondary schools, where this method is thought to show huge potential, stating that: "Circle Time encourages young people to:
- reflect on their behaviour
- set goals for improvements
- regulate their personal behaviour
- acquire skills and attitudes relevant to the establishment of positive relationships with peers
- beome more sensitive to and tolerant of others
- develop competencies and skills in attending, observing, thinking, speaking and listening."
"A Bright Future for All: Promoting Mental Health in Education" by Tany Alexander, 2005, The Mental Health Foundation.