Children’s Mental Health Week: Q and A with Avani Bhalla
In Children’s Mental Health Week, we spoke to 16-year-old mental healthÌýcampaigner and one of the winners of the ɫèAV World Changer Awards, AvaniÌýBhalla, for her view on young people’s wellbeing today and what more can beÌýdone in education to help.
16-year-old Avani from London is passionateÌýabout promoting the importance of mental health.
A mindfulness lesson at school inspired her toÌýspeak up, take action and champion wellbeing in her school and wider community.ÌýNow she’s an ambassador for a local mental health charity where she mentorsÌýyoung people who are suffering with mental health issues and has also raisedÌýmoney to build a wellbeing garden. Her amazing passion and efforts won herÌýɫèAV’s Education and Beyond World Changer Award!
At ɫèAV, we are passionate about buildingÌýhealthy, calm and happy schools, and supporting the wellbeing of learners andÌýteachers whatever comes their way.
For Children’s Mental Health Week we asked AvaniÌýto share her views on mental health and wellbeing, as well as her hopes andÌýplans for the future. Here’s what she told us.
Q. Why does mental health and wellbeing matterÌýto you?
I have seen first-hand the impact that mentalÌýhealth issues can have on young people, but also on their support circle ofÌýfriends and family.
It is so important that people recognise thatÌýhiding away from mental health is wrong. When they come to terms with acceptingÌýthis, they flourish and grow and do things that they would have otherwise beenÌýunable to do. The stigma around mental health and emotions must be eradicated.ÌýThere is too much hate and unkindness in the world. As a global citizen I feelÌýas though it is my duty to change this.
Q. Has the Covid-19 pandemic affected youngÌýpeople's mental health and wellbeing?
I think the pandemic has possibly affectedÌýeveryone’s mental health and in particular young people. Mental health canÌýaffect absolutely anyone regardless of age, however, more than half of mentalÌýhealth conditions start before the age of 14 and many of those can beÌýundetected until so many years later.
If anything I think these shocking statisticsÌýare only going to get worse because of the effects on young people over theÌýlast 12 months. Since the start of the pandemic I think lots of young peopleÌýhave felt increased feelings of anxiety, isolation and not feeling as thoughÌýyou would have the same stable support network of people like teachers andÌýstaff around you.
Q. Could more be taught about mental health andÌýwellbeing in schools?
I don’t doubt for one second that schools aren’tÌýteaching pupils the importance of mental health and wellbeing, but I still feelÌýthat more could be done, specifically in secondary schools. I think it’s atÌýthis time when most pupils are at the point where quality mental healthÌýeducation and support will help prepare them for the world outside of schoolÌýand when they are most responsive to change. I would love to see mental healthÌýeducation treated just as equally important as subjects on the schoolÌýcurriculum.
Q. Can you tell us a bit about what you’ve beenÌýdoing to promote wellbeing in your school?
I’ve been co-running a wellbeing magazine at myÌýschool and so far, we have two monthly editions out and one more coming outÌývery soon. These magazines are very informal and are almost like a self-helpÌýguide, in that they offer simple tips and advice. We have things like a mindfulÌýeating section, some good reads and activities to try amongst other things.
On World Mental Health Day last October, IÌýorganised Young Mind’s ‘HelloYellow’ day at school so my year group couldÌýparticipate. We wore yellow to stand united in solidarity for young people whenÌýit comes to mental health and to show them that they are not alone. We alsoÌýraised some money and used the day to really open up about our experiences withÌýmental health.
Q. What plans do you have to champion mentalÌýhealth in the future?
The money that I raised in the summer has beenÌýpartly allocated to a staff Wellbeing Garden at West Middlesex Hospital. ItÌýwill be a space dedicated to challenging stigmas associated with mental healthÌýand encouraging visitors to talk openly about their emotions.
I drew up some sketches for certain types ofÌýflowers and plants that would be nice to have in the garden - each chosenÌýbecause of meanings and interpretations behind them and the colours andÌýcalmness associated with them.
I will be mentoring young people suffering withÌýmental health issues as an ambassador for the Michael Streete Foundation. AtÌýthe moment, I am working on projects with them where we are creating guides forÌýa range of topics from things to do with mental health and wellbeing to careersÌýand passions.
Q. How did you feel winning a ɫèAV WorldÌýChanger Award?
The award has given me even more encouragementÌýand zeal to keep going and work harder. It is an amazing feeling when you canÌýbe passionate about something and an even more incredible feeling when yourÌýwork spreads to help the wider community.
My World Changer Award is proof that each smallÌýact of kindness and change matters and can lead to so much more.
Q. What advice would you give to young peopleÌýwho want to champion mental health and wellbeing too?
There is absolutely nothing stopping you, go forÌýit because you can never quantify how much of an impact your act of kindnessÌýand change will have - but I can guarantee you that it is more than you think.
You can make a difference and you can make a lotÌýof change, which will only be for the better. Please go for it!
To read more about Avani and her work, take aÌýlook at ɫèAV’sÌýWorld Changer Awards Winners Showcase.
For free resources and advice to support theÌýmental health and wellbeing of learners, teachers and parents, visit ɫèAV’sÌýWellbeing Zone.