What is Mental Health?

Everyone has mental health, in the same way we all have physical health

  •  ‘Mental health’ covers our emotional, psychological and social well-
    being
  • It affects how we think, feel and behave
  • Having good mental health doesn’t mean you feel happy 24/7 - good mental health means you experience a range of everyday emotions including happiness, sadness, joy, anxiety, anger etc.
  • However, if the feelings seem more intense than just ‘everyday feelings’ and they hang around for a long time, then it’s time to ask someone for help
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Support in School

We have a number of staff in school who can help and support you. These include:

Your Tutor should be the first port of all for all general queries and concerns. They may advise yout to speak to your year team for further support.

You Year Team. Your Pastoral Leader and Head of Student Progress are the most appropriate people to talk to if you feel concerned about your mental health.

Safeguarding Team. You can speak to any member of the Safeguarding Team who will be able to offer some advice and support or point you in the direction of someone who can.

School Nurse. Our school nurse is a Public Health Nurse and works for the NHS. She can offer support and advice and also signpost or refer you to the most appropriate service.

School Counsellors. In school, we have 2 school counsellors who offer a free, confidential service. If you'd like to speak to one of our counsellors, let your year team know and they can put in a referral.

Tom Haines

Mr Haines is our Designated Safeguarding Lead and also oversees mental health. He is  trained to provide mental health ‘first aid’ to students in moments of crisis, to offer help and support and to advise students on the most appropriate next steps.
Some specific areas Mr Haines can provide first aid in are: depression, anxiety, suicide, psychosis, self-harm and eating disorders.

Alternatively you can speak to any member of staff who you trust and feel comfortable talking to. Even if they can’t personally help you, they will be able to refer you to someone who can!

Outside of School

There are loads of online resources and external agencies which can support you but make sure they’re  appropriate - ask a member of staff if you’re unsure. Some recommended resources and agencies include:

A free, anonymous texting service if you’re in a crisis and need to talk to someone. As it’s all via text, you don’t need to actually talk. You’ll be connected to a trained volunteer and they’ll be able to help you.

A website containing loads of resources, real-life stories and signposts to support young people's mental health.

A charity providing emotional support to anyone who needs it. You can call or email them to speak to someone.

A free phone service if you need help or advice about anything, including mental health support and advice

Recommended Apps

There’s also some great apps which you can download to also support your mental health. They contain  podcasts, breathing techniques, meditation and also teach you how to cope with depression and anxiety, amongst other things. Give it a go - you may surprise yourself and find it useful.

Three recommendations are:

calm
headspace
what's up

Calm

A simple mindfulness meditation app.

Headspace

Meditation made simple

What's Up

Teaches you ways to cope with depression, anxiety, stress, anger and more.