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 health is 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 people can 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 of poor mental health include:
- 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
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- 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 Camilla Mason and Lucie Thornthwaite are the school SENDCos and support students with SEN needs including those students with SEMH concerns Lucie.thornthwaite@sjchs.uk, camilla.mason-miller@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)Some more useful links for studentsUseful resources on many Mental Health issues, For children and young people | Anna FreudIf 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 email youthhelpline@ocdaction.org.uk.
Some useful links for carers and parentsAdvice 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 / staffwww.childmentalhealthcentre.org (Child Mental Health)
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Heads of Year who take responsibility for the pastoral welfare of their particular year groups – can be emailed from the pastoral page.
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Form Tutors are the first port of call for all students, their email addresses can be found on the pastoral page.
