Helping children and young people to self-assess their mental wellbeing

Children and young people can find it very difficult to explain how they feel. They may not even be able to identify or name the feeling they are experiencing. In these instances, it can prove so helpful to have a visual aid to share with them, to help assist in this process.

I have always been interested in helping children and young people find ways to express themselves. During my time as a teacher, I studied a Headship qualification and as part of my studies, I was required to lead a whole school collegiate project. I chose self-assessment of pupil wellbeing as my subject.

Part of this process, involved inviting pupils across the school to assess their mental wellbeing using a ‘wellbeing web’, in accordance with the ‘SHANARRI’ indicators of wellbeing, as part of Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC). More information relating to GIRFEC can be found here.

For each of the indicators (safe, healthy, achieving, active, respected, responsible, included), I invited pupils to rate each one out of a score of 10 - 10 being the highest, 1 being the lowest. I was astonished at the conversations this task opened up and the impact it had.

Ever since then, I’ve found myself exploring different ways to help young people share how they are feeling, in a child-friendly, visual and quick way. You may find these little emoji wellbeing cards helpful as part of your practice.

Self-assessment emoji flashcards