Welcome to the mental health and well-being section of our school website. Our mental health lead is Mrs Nicky Oliver, supported by Mrs Helen Grice, our inclusion worker. We believe that every interaction can be supportive for a child experiencing difficulties.
We also have three Level 2 trained in First Aid for Mental Health:
* Lisa Dear
* Helen Grice
* Cheryl Hill
These members of staff (including Mrs Oliver) have knowledge of:
* A range of mental health conditions.
* How to start a supportive conversation and when and how to signpost a person to seek appropriate professional help.
* How to recognise and manage stress and understand the impact of substance abuse.
* How to implement a positive mental health culture in the workplace
We have a policy detailing how we support both children and staff – you can read this here.
We have gathered together a few websites that you can look at if you are worried about a child.
Please do also come in to speak to your child’s teacher in the first instance. All our teachers have had recent mental health training and all classrooms have mental health displays and resources for the children to access.
We have many different resources available for pupils including time spent with Mrs Grice. We are also able to refer children to our new NHS Mental Health Support team and this team also runs lots of different workshops for parents to attend. We have the support of our Early Intervention Family worker Charlotte Dean too and she also runs lots of parent groups and workshops. You can find details about what she offers in our newsletters. You can also contact her here: charlotte.dean@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Here are some useful websites:
Children’s mental health – Every Mind Matters – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
WEBSITES | CAMHS Resources (camhs-resources.co.uk)
Parents Helpline | Mental Health Help for Your Child | YoungMinds
 | Parents Helpline | Mental Health Help for Your Child | YoungMinds Call our Parents Helpline for detailed advice, emotional support and signposting about a child or young person up to the age of 25. You can call us for free on 0808 802 5544 from 9:30am – 4pm, Monday – Friday. www.youngminds.org.uk |
| Child Stress – Parenting NI We think of childhood as being a carefree time, but children can also experience stress. Take a look at some of the Family Wellness Project resources to help understand child stress and activities you can use with your child. www.parentingni.org |
| WEBSITES | CAMHS Resources This is a collection of websites that provide information and support to young people and families. If you click on the image it will open the website in a new window. www.camhs-resources.co.uk |
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/make-it-count-guide-for-parents-and-carers
A new mental health free text messaging support service has launched in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to help those who are struggling to cope.
Launched by NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and in partnership with the national service SHOUT, the free to use text service HEAR 85258 provides real-time support to people of all ages who are struggling with their mental health.
When texting the word HEAR to 85258, the person will be connected to a trained volunteer who will take them from a place of crisis to a place of calm. During the confidential and anonymous conversation, the texter will be supported and signposted to local and national mental health services.
Texting HEAR to 85258 is free, discreet and runs 24/7. It won’t appear on any bills and requires no app, data, password, or registration. It is available for anybody who lives, works, or studies in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
For more information about what mental health services are available in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, visit www.keep-your-head.com.
If you feel your or somebody’s life is at risk due to their mental health, dial 111 and listen for the option for the mental health crisis team.