Workshop

Understanding Mental Health and Mental Wellbeing

• What we mean by mental health and mental wellbeing

• Factors that can affect our mental health and wellbeing

• What resilience is and how we can strengthen it

• Strategies for improving our mental wellbeing

• The impact of stress on our brain and body; strategies for stress management

• Developing a growth mindset

• Skills for positive thinking

• Developing self-confidence

• Facing challenges to reach your desired goals

EmpowerHER: Building Mental & Emotional Strength

Workshop Aims

1. Create a psychologically safe space for girls to explore and express emotions, identity and experiences with confidentiality and respect.

2. Develop emotional literacy—improving ability to identify, name, and regulate emotions using evidence-informed strategies.

3. Strengthen self-esteem and body image, challenging negative self-talk and social media pressures through practical reframing tools.

4. Build stress management skills and coping strategies suitable for school, home, and online contexts.

5. Promote healthy relationships and boundaries, including assertive communication, recognising red flags, and digital wellbeing.

6. Enhance resilience and agency, supporting girls to set goals, reflect on strengths, and build a personal wellbeing action plan.

7. Encourage help-seeking behaviours, increasing awareness of trusted adults and support services within school and externally.

Intended Outcomes (Learner-Centred)

By the end of the 6 weeks, participants will be able to:

Emotional Literacy & Regulation

• Identify and name a range of emotions using a feelings wheel.

• Use at least two regulation techniques (e.g., paced breathing, grounding, journaling) during stress or anxiety.

• Track mood patterns and triggers using a simple weekly emotion tracker.

Self-Esteem & Body Image

• Challenge unhelpful thoughts with positive self-talk and affirmations (e.g., ABC thought record).

• Articulate three personal strengths and how they support academic and social goals.

• Recognise unrealistic media portrayals and discuss how they impact body image and self-worth.

Stress & Coping

• Describe signs of stress (physical, cognitive, behavioural) and differentiate helpful vs. unhelpful coping.

• Build a personalised “Coping Toolbox” (e.g., music, movement, creativity, breathing, support contacts).

Relationships, Boundaries & Online Safety

• Define characteristics of healthy relationships (respect, consent, equality).

• Demonstrate assertive responses (role plays: saying “no,” asking for space, reporting concerns).

• Map personal boundaries (what’s OK/not OK online and offline) and identify trusted support routes.

Resilience & Future Orientation

• Share a personal “strength story”—an example of overcoming a challenge.

• Create a wellbeing action plan with two realistic goals and steps to sustain progress.

• Name at least three support avenues—school-based (e.g., pastoral team), peer, family, and national services (e.g., YoungMinds, Childline).