A SCHOOL has raised concerns over the pandemic’s effect on children as part of Mental Health Awareness week.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Malvern is one of the many schools in Worcestershire who are raising awareness of mental health in the coming weeks.

A recovery curriculum has been put in place to help school children navigate through the affects of lockdown.

Headteacher, Therese Langford, said, “Raising children’s awareness about anxiety has always been important. But even more so now because of covid”.

Mrs Langford has been the head since 2015. She said, “We have weekly chats with the children in a variety of places.

"From the classroom to the forest - our first level of conversations are always informal. It’s important the children feel comfortable."

Mental Health Awareness week takes place between May 18 and May 24.

Children’s book publisher, Usborne, has released a variety of “Unworry” packs, designed to help teachers and children in the classroom with a variety of activities to help them unwind.

Sally Blackmore, independent book store owner for Usborne, said, “I think they are absolutely amazing little packs.

"I’m trying to reach out to as many schools as possible because they’re free”.

Mrs Langford said, “Lots of resources are now available to schools, which is fantastic, but I feel it’s more important to have real conversations with the children about what’s happening in the world.

"We need to create a culture in schools where children feel they can talk to adults in a secure environment”.