Midlothian Art Resilience Project

Midlothian Resilience Art Project: Coping through covid

How did you cope through COVID?

P1 to S2 pupils were invited to share their experiences of coping during COVID as part of a new art resilience exhibition.

Pupils could submit a painting, drawing, poem or short piece of writing about their feelings during the pandemic and how they managed.

This is a joint project with the council’s educational psychology team and communities and lifelong learning along with the Health and Social Care Partnership. Many thanks too to funding body, the Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation.

Visit the gallery of pupils’ work

Community exhibitions

The pupils’ artwork and written pieces are also on display from Thursday 17 September to Sunday 4 October at various locations throughout Midlothian.

Helping your child cope

If you are worried about aspects of your child’s mental health and wellbeing, discuss this with your child and a trusted adult at school in the first instance.

The Educational Psychology Service Helpline is also available on Thursdays from 10:00-mid-day for professionals or parents/carers who have concerns about a young person.

Call the helpline:

  • 0131 270 5615

If your child is on the waiting list for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) call:

  • 01968 671 330

Looking at the gallery with your child or young person is a good way of getting them to tell you about their feelings and for them to build resilience by understanding their feelings.

To help with the discussion you could also talk about:

  • What did you do to stay connected to others during lockdown?
  • What did you do to stay active and healthy during lockdown?
  • What are the ways you used to express yourself during lockdown?
  • What did you do for others or did others do for you that helped you cope during lockdown?
  • What new things did you notice about yourself, your home or local community during lockdown?
  • What did you do to keep your brain active and learning during lockdown?
  • Are there things you would do more of or less of if a similar situation were to occur?
  • Are there things you want to be different in your life as a result of your lockdown experience?
  • What is the one story will you tell about your experience of lockdown in 10 years’ time?

Wider help and support for you and your family

If you are finding it difficult to cope - from money worries to feeling lonely - there is help available.