The Blues’ mascot joined Suffolk Mind at Ranelagh Primary School on Tuesday, February 4 to teach children about the importance of mental wellbeing.

The mental health charity’s visit was part of its Bluesday Tuesday initiative, which aims to re-engage with schools and encourage fundraising for mental health resources.

The children were taught about reflective listening, movement and the dragon breathing technique.Bluey joins Louise Taylor-Harris from Suffolk Mind and the student council at Ranelagh Primary School. (Image: Suffolk Mind)

Louise Taylor-Harris, the charity’s children, family, and young people’s service manager, said: “Developing listening skills is very important for children.

“What we teach is called reflective listening, it’s like holding a mirror up to someone.

“When you listen to someone it’s easy to end up jumping in saying ‘don’t worry’ or not truly paying attention to what they are saying.

“But that doesn’t always help.

“If another person is feeling angry or sad, to have someone say ‘yes, I understand you’ and to really hear them is so important.”

She also explained the benefits of the dragon breathing technique, which helps to calm, relieve tension, and promote clear thinking.

The children were thrilled when Bluey joined in with the assembly.

Children were excited to see Bluey (Image: Suffolk Mind)

Ms Taylor-Harris added: “It was wonderful having Bluey come down to the event as it reinforces the importance of movement to mental health.

“It was really fun for the children too.”

The school emphasises promoting positive mental health and wellbeing among its pupils

Nicky Ling, headteacher at Ranelagh Primary School, said: “Promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing is key to helping our children here at Ranelagh achieve and thrive in their learning.

“Louise and the team at Suffolk Mind are regular visitors to Ranelagh and we were delighted that they were able to visit today to help us promote Children’s Mental Health Week as part of Bluesday Tuesday.”