Local MP Hugo Swire has praised pupils and staff at King’s School in Ottery St Mary for their commitment to emotional wellbeing.
This comes after Mr Swire visited the school on Friday 20 November.
As part of his visit, Mr Swire met one of the school’s teen health groups which meets once a week to explore emotional and physical wellbeing and other issues affecting young people. With the help of a local filmmaker, the group is currently working on a film which tackles issues such as depression and self-harm.
Mr Swire also met a number of students currently taking part in the Living Life to the Full programme. The programme, developed by Professor Chris Williams of Glasgow University, is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and the belief that altering the unhelpful thinking (cognitions) and behaviour that commonly occur during times of distress can lead to improved health and well-being. The course covers elements linked to the issues and demands that young people face in the modern world.
Commenting after his visit, Mr Swire said:
‘It was great to visit King’s School again. The school’s staff and students certainly never fail to impress!
‘It is distressing at any age to experience problems such as anxiety but it is particularly traumatic for young people. It’s therefore fantastic to see that the pupils at King’s are so passionate about raising awareness of these issues and determined to help each other overcome emotional problems’.