Mental Health & Wellbeing
At St John's , we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We believe that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.
At our school we:
- help children to understand their emotions and feelings better
- help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
- help children socially to form and maintain relationships
- promote self esteem and ensure children know that they count
- encourage children to be confident and be themselves
- help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks
Since Easter 2023 we have also started every first day back after a school break with one day that purely focuses on children's mental health and their personal, social, health & economic education. The day would begin with a celebration assembly that uses one of the planned Place2Be themes followed by activities in class that promote positive mind health like yoga, mindfulness, creative outlets, outdoor work and activities suggested by Place2Be. The afternoon would then allow time and space for the next PSHE unit to begin, based on our scheme of work: You, Me & PSHE. After six months of this process, we have reviewed the children's thoughts and opinions and they have been very positive about the step forwards we have taken.
St John's works with the Children First Hubs and Future in Mind
The Children First Hubs work with families or young people who would like some extra support to deal with a difficult situation. Getting help early can stop things from getting worse and becoming harder to manage.
Children First Hubs will work alongside the professionals already involved with your family and can offer short term co-ordinated packages of support for a range of issues including:
- Family relationships
- Behaviours that are challenging
- School attendance
- Emotional and mental health
- Domestic abuse
- Parental conflict
- Housing issues
- Employment and debt problemsFuture in Mind
The Future in Mind Transformation Programme has given local organisations in Wakefield the opportunity to continue to transform local mental health and wellbeing services for children and young people.
The Programme has a number of core services operating under it, which helps support children and young people through different ways including; online, in-schools and in the community.
Below are the services which operate under the programme alongside further information about each service:
Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) - Provided by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWYPFT). Wakefield CAMHS provides assessment, services and support to children, young people and their families who are suffering from significant mental health or behavioural challenges. This may include:
- Depression
- Self-harm
- Severe anxiety (including obsessive compulsive disorder)
- Eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia)
Primary Intervention Team - Community-based support which is offered in local schools and community services and delivered by SWYPFT. Referrals for the Primary Intervention Team are to be completed through schools.
Early Help Hubs - information on the Wakefield Council website - Delivered by Wakefield Council, the Hubs offer co-located services and a whole-family approach.
Community Navigators
Provided by the voluntary and community sector, four Community Navigators work across the different areas of Wakefield. Community Navigators are contacted through pastoral support team in schools or contact the Early Help Hubs for more information. The Community Navigators provide:
- Group work to mainstream schools
- Develop risk and resilience tools
- Deliver the "Luggage for Life programme" which focuses on building skills surrounding emotional health and wellbeing
- Transition support for children finishing primary school and entering high school
- Connect children, young people and families to activities in their community.
Young People’s Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health
All children and young people experience anger, anxiety and other difficult feelings as a part of growing up. However when these feelings start to get in the way of everyday life, it might be time to think about getting some support.
Mindmate website, www.mindmate.org.uk
Other useful links
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
A public health England and NHS site to help people take simple steps to look after their mental health, improve their mental wellbeing and support others.
https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/
Quality-assured information, advice and resources to help primary schools understand and promote children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Teen Connect: https://www.lslcs.org.uk/services/connect-helpline/teen-connect/
NSPCC: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Wakefield Domestic Abuse support: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/health-care-and-advice/adults-and-older-people-services/domestic-abuse
Click here for more information to support parents and families.
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Mental Health links
Anxiety
– Anxiety in children and young people
– Social, emotional and mental wellbeing in primary and secondary education – NICE Guidance
Emotional Well-being
– DfE Guidance Mental Health in schools/colleges
– Mental health and wellbeing support in schools/colleges
– Nip in the bud Mental health films for primary schools
– Promoting emotional health and wellbeing in schools PHE
– Gov. Teaching about mental wellbeing training and resources
– MindEd FREE Children’s Mental Health Resource/e-learning
– Mental health and behaviour in schools – GOV guidance
– Mental health first aid resources
– Mind Of My Own App capture students views/feelings etc.
– Health apps professionally rated (includes mental health)
– Mental health resources for schools – Charlie Waller Memorial Trust
– Improving children’s mental health in schools – Place2Be
Trauma
– Resources (beaconhouse.org.uk)
– Understanding Trauma – Ask The Expert – ACAMH
Self-Harm & Suicidal Ideation
– Self harm advice for schools WAKEFIELD CAMHS
– Self Harm guide for school staff
– Samaritans SUICIDE ADVICE for schools
– Building a Suicide Safer School Toolkit
Body Confidence / Eating Disorders
