Suffolk Mind holds school fundraiser for children's book
The charity aims to give every four to five-year-old a book to support their mental health in Suffolk
Suffolk Mind is holding a school fundraiser today (28 May) to raise money for a new book to support children's mental health.
The charity aims to raise a total of £40,000 to distribute a copy of Sammy the Sea Squirt to every four to five-year-old in the county.
So far, more than £17,600 has been raised via a Crowdfunding appeal launched on world book day (4 March) and off-line donations.
The book about Sammy the Sea Squirt has been written by Suffolk Mind's Head of Education, Ezra Hewing, and follows a Sea Squirt who moves with friends to look after their memory and emotions.
The aim of the book is to teach children across Suffolk the importance of movement and the benefits it provides for our mental health.
Louise Harris, Children and Young People's Trainer at Suffolk Mind, said:
"A lot of children have been very static and at computers or stuck at home. So, it's more important than ever that we teach families that moving not only helps their physical health but also their mental health, and it's quite an easy connection that I don't think many people make.
"Every four to five-year-old knows how to raise a flower, they know how to give it food and water to keep it well, but we don't necessarily know how to keep our minds well and keep ourselves well. So what we're trying to do is to teach them these skills from a very young age so they know how to keep their minds well, and when they grow up this grows with them."
Ezra Hewing, author of the book and Head of Education at Suffolk Mind, said:
"Movement and exercise makes the heart and body strong and healthy, but it also burns off harmful stress hormones to stop them damaging children’s brains when they are at their most vulnerable.
"It is so important to teach our children how to stay mentally well, in an age-appropriate way, so they can grow to be emotionally resilient adults."
According to Healthwatch Suffolk, 35% of children and young people said their mental health had got worse during the Covid-19 pandemic.
More details about Sammy the Sea Squirt can be found on Suffolk Mind's website.