Mental Health
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place from 1st-5th February 2021. All students have watched a mental health assembly based on well being and managing stress. You can view this assembly below.
Please see below some useful links and documents designed to help you during the pandemic and beyond.
Families wishing to access support from YMCA Suffolk Shine Project can do so here, via their referral form.
Rise Above has lots of playlists for your mind, however you are feeling.
10 ways to cope with big changes
Coronavirus WHO coping with stress
Radio 1 tips for surviving self isolation
A downloadable guide from the Children’s Commissioner for children and young people about the coronavirus, including proactive advice to support mental wellbeing.
The Think Ninja app educates 10–18-year-olds about mental health, emotional wellbeing and provide skills young people can use to build resilience and stay well. It has been adapted to Covid-19 to bring self-help knowledge and skills to those who may be experiencing increased anxiety and stress during the crisis.
The Rise Above website aims to build resilience and support good mental health in young people aged 10 to 16. The content has been adapted to Covid-19 and includes new mental health content based on insights from young people on remote schooling.
The Every Mind Matters website aims to support everyone, including children and young people, to feel more confident in taking action to look after their mental health and wellbeing by promoting a range of self-care actions. It has been adapted to include advice and support about mental health issues that may have arisen because of the pandemic.
The Young Minds website – provides online information on COVID-19 and mental health support to children and young people.
Resources from University of Bath and the ‘Tell Me about Loneliness’ project provide advice and tips about how to tackle loneliness and are thoroughly rooted in evidence of young people’s experiences during loneliness.
The Let’s Talk Loneliness campaign – the website provides a whole host of resources and information for those feeling lonely, including blogs and podcasts from those who have experienced loneliness.
Children and young people can access free confidential support anytime from Government-backed voluntary and community sector organisations by:
- texting SHOUT to 85258
- calling Childline on 0800 1111
- calling the Mix on 0808 808 4994
At Ormiston Denes Academy, we strive to ensure all students are supported so that they are able to achieve their full potential. At our disposal, we have a highly experienced and effective pastoral team, with a broad range of specialist knowledge and understanding. This student-centered integrated team includes:
- Heads of Year and Pastoral Managers
- Raising Achievement Support Mentors
- Safeguarding Officer
- School Counsellor
- Pathways Manager and Pathways Mentor
- Disabilities and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (DSENCo)
- School Nurse
Please see below for guidance on;
Coronavirus toolkit – return to school
If parents or carers have any concerns about children’s mental health, they should seek support. You can find a list of support available in your area via the Youth Wellbeing Directory, or a list of helplines in this resource library.
You could also contact:
School Nursing hub – 03456078866
School Nursing Chat Health text messaging service – 07507 333 356 (Monday – Friday 9-4.30pm, not available bank holidays)
SHOUT – text ‘Shout’ to 85258 for 24/7 crisis text support
Childline – under 19s can call 0800 1111 for free support
Education Support – school staff can call 08000 562 561 or text 07909 341229 for 24/7 help and advice
YoungMinds Parents Helpline – Call 0808 802 5544 for free Mon-Fri from 9.30am to 4pm
Supporting Students Facing Mental Health Issues
Kooth is a transformational digital mental health support service. It gives children and young people easy access to an online community of peers and a team of experienced counsellors.
Parent/ Carer information letter from Kooth
Click the link below for how to sign up.
Public Health Suffolk has created a suicide prevention information leaflet aimed at supporting those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. It is essential that people have access to the correct information, and resources that will help them when they are feeling desperate and unsafe.
Useful Links:
Anna Freud – self care strategies for young people
BBC’s Wellbeing resources for families
Centre for mental health resource
Every Mind Matters – self care tool
Mental Health Resources During Covid- 19
NHS urgent mental health helpline
Young minds guide to support/guide to CAMHS
Young minds “letter about how I’m feeling” worksheet
Mental Health First Aiders
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an educational course which teaches people how to identify, understand and help a person who may be developing a mental health issue. In the same way as we learn physical first aid, mental health first aid teaches how to recognise those crucial warning signs of mental ill health.
The MHFA course is an internationally recognised course designed specifically for those people that teach, work, live with or care for young people aged 8 to 18 years.
The course includes:
- Spotting the early signs of a mental health problem.
- Raising confidence in helping someone experiencing a problem.
- Providing help on a first aid basis.
- Helping to prevent someone from hurting themselves or others.
- Helping to stop a mental illness from getting worse.
- Helping someone recover faster.
- Guidance towards the right support.
- How to reduce the stigma of mental health problems.
Three members of staff have completed the MHFA course:
- Mrs M Read
- Mrs A Palmer
- Ms A Gee
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