One in six young people struggle with their mental health. Anxiety, trauma and emotional overwhelm are at an all-time high, creating significant barriers to learning and well-being. But there is hope. At Emotionally Healthy Minds (EHM), we believe in a different approach—one that prioritises emotional health alongside academic achievement, supporting children to rediscover their joy for learning and confidence in themselves.
The Birth of Emotionally Healthy Minds
EHM was founded in 2022 by Sarah Petherick after witnessing countless children slipping through the cracks of the education system due to emotional overwhelm, low self-confidence or academic barriers. What began as a one-person mission with a long waiting list has now flourished into a thriving team of incredible teachers and emotion coaches, all working to provide children with the support they need to succeed.
A Holistic Approach to Education and Well-being
EHM supports pupils in mainstream schools, those who are home-educated, and children who are unable to attend school for various reasons. Our services include:
- Private Tuition: Focusing on resilience, confidence and a growth mindset to help children engage in learning.
- Well-being and Emotion Coaching: Teaching self-awareness, coping strategies and stress management.
- Training and Consultancy: Equipping parents, educators and leaders with tools to support children’s emotional and educational needs.
- Workshops: Offered privately and within schools to promote emotional intelligence and academic success.
All our tutors and coaches undergo daily DBS checks, are fully insured and have extensive experience working with a diverse range of children, including those who are neurodiverse. Every tutor at EHM is a qualified teacher. We provide a safe, supportive space where learning is centred on growth, exploration, and resilience.
A Different Kind of Learning Environment
For many children, traditional schooling simply doesn’t fit their needs. Some have experienced school-based trauma, others struggle with anxiety, and many feel lost in a system that isn’t built for them. That’s where EHM comes in. We have worked hard to ensure our space feels nothing like a conventional classroom.
When students arrive, they’re welcomed with hot chocolate, music and a warm, friendly atmosphere. We play games, engage in conversation and build trust before even starting the learning process. Our centre is designed to feel like a home—a place where children feel safe to make mistakes, learn and thrive.
Real Lives, Real Change
Our approach works. Time and again, we see children who once struggled with school refusal, extreme anxiety or low self-confidence begin to flourish. Recently, a young boy spent an entire week unable to attend lessons due to severe anxiety. When he arrived at our session, he was overwhelmed—crying, hoodie up, unable to make eye contact. But by the end of our time together, he was laughing, engaged, and beginning to understand the trauma responses he had been experiencing. He left with confidence, insight, and hope.
Not all transformations happen overnight. Many take small, steady steps, but each step forward is a victory. Watching children who were once disengaged and deeply unhappy rediscover joy in learning is why we do what we do.
Helping Your Child Through Overwhelm
If your child is struggling with overwhelm, here are some ways you can support them:
- Validate Their Feelings: Let them know it’s okay to feel this way. Phrases like “I see you’re finding this hard, and that’s okay” can make a big difference.
- Encourage Deep Breathing: Teach them simple breathing techniques like box breathing (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4).
- Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Help them focus on one small step at a time instead of feeling overwhelmed by the bigger picture.
- Create a Safe Space: Sometimes, simply sitting with them quietly or offering a comforting touch can help.
- Use Sensory Grounding: Try the 5-4-3-2-1 technique—name 5 things they can see, 4 they can touch, 3 they can hear, 2 they can smell and then take 1 long deep breath.
- Encourage Movement: Gentle movement like kicking a football around, taking the dog for a walk or bouncing on a trampoline can release stress.
- Model Calmness: Your stress levels impact theirs. Working on our own emotional health as parents is so important.
Looking Ahead: Hope for the Future
Mental health struggles among children and young people are not going away. The pressures of education, social media, and our hurried culture can be tough to navigate. But with the right support, understanding, and environment, we can make a difference. At EHM, we are proud to be part of the solution, offering a space where children feel valued, understood and empowered to learn.
Our sessions take place at our centre in South Woodham Ferrers, in the community and online across the UK and internationally. If you’re interested in finding out more, get in touch—we’d love to help. Every child deserves to feel safe, capable, and inspired. Together, we can change lives, one session at a time.
Love, Sarah and the EHM Team 💙
emotionallyhealthyminds.com
