Mental Health Week | Charterhouse School

Green ribbons could be seen across campus throughout Mental Health Week. This year, activities centred on the theme “This Is Our Place”, a celebration of belonging and what it means to feel accepted, and truly at home within our school community.

The Wellbeing Pupil Action Committee (PAC) led a full programme of events designed by pupils, for pupils, encouraging reflection, connection, and community spirit. Our PAC leaders, Emily and Ayah, Second Year Specialists (Year 13), led from the front, coordinating and producing a Wellbeing video that showcases pupils and teachers sharing “their place” in School from the art studio to the hockey pitch, boarding house, and music rooms. 

The Library’s Mindful Corner quickly became a popular drop‑in space, offering wellbeing books, colouring, and puzzles. Meanwhile, a daily Belonging Map in Oak Central Café invited pupils to place stickers on the areas of campus where they feel most at home, with Weekites (House) frequently mentioned as well as Hall, Oak, and the Library.

Across Houses, Peer Supporters delivered mindful activities with Fourths (Year 9), and the Kindness Ripple Challenge encouraged small acts of kindness that had a noticeable lift on community morale. In Music, the Fourths learned how music therapy works and how sound can influence our emotions and overall well-being.

For the first time during Mental Health Week, the Wellbeing team and the English Department collaborated to launch a mindfulness‑themed poetry competition, judged by English Supporters and celebrated for its thoughtful entries.

Yoga sessions in Queen's Sports Centre helped pupils unwind on Tuesday evening, with pupils sharing that they left feeling calm and relaxed. During Wednesday’s PSHE lesson, we welcomed Mike Hamilton from the Outward Bound Trust, who spoke powerfully about resilience and belonging. 

On Wednesday and Thursday morning, PAC members Emily, Ayah, Hannah and Edgar, Second Year Specialists (Year 13), led an inspiring Chapel service exploring why belonging matters in a busy school environment. A particularly poignant fact shared is that UK research highlights that one in five young people often feels lonely. Feeling disconnected or unseen can gradually impact wellbeing, lowering mood and increasing anxiety. Belonging acts as a protective factor: when young people feel supported by those around them, they cope better with the demands of school life and recover more easily from setbacks. Emily closed the talk with a powerful reminder that Mental Health Week is about nurturing a culture where we tune into our own feelings and stay aware of how others may be feeling too.

Our school Pop Choir closed the Chapel talk with an uplifting performance of Coldplay's Viva la Vida, filling the space with their beautiful sound and leaving everyone feeling energised and ready for the day ahead.

This year’s Mental Health Week stood out for its strong pupil leadership and inclusive atmosphere. From green ribbons to reflective conversations, the week demonstrated the community’s shared commitment to mental health and a school environment where everyone feels they belong.