Mental Health

As a school, we believe that the mental health and wellbeing of our students, staff and parents is of paramount importance. 

It is our goal to:

• Promote positive mental health and resilience in all staff and students
• Increase understanding and awareness of common mental health issues
• Alert staff to early warning signs of mental ill health
• Provide support to staff working with young people with mental health issues
• Provide support to students suffering mental ill health and their peers and parents or carers

Definitions:

Mental healthis a defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. (World Health Organization)Good Mental Health in young peoplecan be defined as people who have the ability to:

• Develop psychologically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually
• Initiate, develop and sustain mutually satisfying personal relationships
• Use and enjoy solitude
• Become aware of others and empathise with them
• Play and learn
• Develop a sense of right and wrong
• Face and resolve problems and setbacks and learn from failure

Disorders ofpoor mental healthinclude:

• Emotional disorders, e.g. phobias, anxiety states and depression
• Conduct disorders, e.g. antisocial behaviour
• Hyperkinetic disorders, e.g. ADHD
• Developmental disorders, e.g. delay in acquiring certain skills
• Attachment disorders
• Other mental health disorders including eating disorders, habit disorders, PTSS

Lead members of staff

• • Whilst all staff have a responsibility to promote the mental health of students, staff with a specific, relevant remit include:

  • Our Designated Safeguarding Lead Mr John Kinsella- John.kinsella@sjchs.uk
  • Our Designated Mental Health Lead Mrs Anna Dove, who is also the DDSL anna.dove@sjchs.uk, along with Mrs Cherie Jameson, also DDSL Cherie.Jameson@sjchs.uk
  • Mrs Gurj Simpson is the school SENDCo and support students with SEN needs including those students with SEMH concerns.  gurj.simpson@sjchs.uk.
  • Heads of Year who take responsibility for the pastoral welfare of their particular year groups – can be emailed from the pastoral page.
  • Form Tutors are the first port of call for all students, their email addresses can be found on the pastoral page.

   

  Useful links 

  This website is a directory of support for all mental health issues, with advice, information and support available to you both in Cumbria and nationally.  Support Directory – Every Life Matters – Suicide Safer Cumbria (every-life-matters.org.uk)

  Mental Health Support For Young People | YoungMinds   ( for parents and yp)

  Self Harm | Barnardo’s  for parents/ carers

  Safa – Self Harm Awareness For All  all sorts of resources, although not working in Cumberland

   

  General MH and wellbeing support-

  Home – Kooth

  Childline | Free counselling service for kids and young people | Childline

  The Mix

  Westmorland Children Young Peoples Emotional Health and Wellbeing Directory
• Some more useful links for students
  Useful resources on many Mental Health issues, For children and young people | Anna Freud
  If you are in crisis or know someone who is, you can contact the Anna Freud emergency Crisis team ( also known as SHOUT). AFC Crisis Messenger | Anna Freud There is a direct messaging service from the website as well, where you can get help and advice.

  www.childline.org.uk – 0800 11 11 (Childline)
  

  www.youngminds.org.uk (Young Minds)
  www.headspace.com/ (A Mindfulness app for relaxation)
  www.smilingmind.com.au/ (Relaxation made easy)

  OCD helpline OCD Action is a national charity offering support to those with OCD. Young people can get in touch with them on the phone on 0845 390 6232/020 7253 2664, or via emailyouthhelpline@ocdaction.org.uk.

  Some useful links for carers and parents
  Advice and guidance from the Anna Freud Organisation https://www.annafreud.org/resources/family-wellbeing/

  Adult mental health

  www.samaritans.org – 08457 90 90 90 (The Samaritans)
  

  www.mind.org.uk (Mind)
  www.llttf.com/index.php (An online self-help service)
  

  www.getselfhelp.co.uk/links2.htm (Links to other useful website and self-help strategies)
  

  www.headspace.com/ (A mindfulness app for relaxation)

  Some useful links for professionals / staff
  School and college resources | Anna Freud

  www.childmentalhealthcentre.org (Child Mental Health)

• Heads of Year who take responsibility for the pastoral welfare of their particular year groups – can be emailed from the pastoral page.

• Form Tutors are the first port of call for all students, their email addresses can be found on the pastoral page.