Mental health is 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)

In our school, our Christian vision shapes all we do. We recognise the vital importance of supporting our children early in life by promoting positive mental health within our school and by equipping our children with the necessary skills, attributes and resilience to sustain good mental health as they grow up.

In addition we aim to promote positive mental health for every member of our staff and pupil body. We pursue this aim using both universal, whole school approaches and specialised, targeted approaches aimed at vulnerable pupils. As a school, we also do our best to guide and signpost parents and carers to suitable care needed to nurture their own mental health needs too.

As well as promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, we aim to recognise and respond to need as it arises. By developing and implementing practical, relevant and effective mental health and wellbeing policies and procedures we can promote a safe and stable environment for pupils affected both directly, and indirectly by mental health and wellbeing issues.

YOUNGMINDS –  

This website presents the following useful information, including: 

- Guide for young people  

- Guide for parents and carers  

- ‘Parents Helpline’ which you can contact from 9.30am to 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Mondays, then on Thursdays and Fridays until 4pm 

- How your young person can support their friends with their mental health 

- Parents’ guide to CAMHS 

http://youngminds.org.uk 

Dudley Council Signposting For MHWB -  

There is a broad range of emotional wellbeing and mental health support available to young people in Dudley which is listed on the Dudley Council website 

http://dudley.gov.uk/residents/dudley-local-offer/health-and-wellbeing/emotional-wellbeing-and-mental-health/ 

Managing anxiety –  

The Barnardos –  

Learn how to help your child cope with overwhelming feelings from their mental health experts with practical strategies 

www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/support-for-parents-and-carers/mental-health/supporting-your-child/strategies-for-coping-with-anxiety-and-worry 

Low self-esteem –  

Action For Children – Parent Talk 

Self-esteem is how someone feels about themselves. When someone has good self-esteem, it helps them feel confident and trust in their own abilities. When someone has low self-esteem, they’re more likely to be negative about their worth. 

If your child has low self-esteem, you can support them to feel more positive. The following website explains how you can do this. 

https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/feelings-behaviour/talking-about-feelings/how-can-i-help-if-my-child-has-low-self-esteem/ 

Challenging behaviour –  

Family Lives -  

This supports parents with how they feel when their child’s behaviour is challenging, what could be causing the child to act aggressively and how to support your child with this type of behaviour 

https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/primary/behaviour/challenging-behaviour 

Empowering Families of Children with SEND/SEND Advocacy –  

Essential advice for legal, EHCP and other SEND information enabling you to be an advocate for your child 

https://www.empoweringsendfamilies.co.uk 

The Sleep Charity –  

Who can I talk to if my child cannot sleep? The National Sleep Helpline can help you with your child’s sleep problems, 7pm – 9pm, Sunday to Thursday 

http://sleep charity.org.uk 

Contacting CAMHS in a Crisis -  

If you or a young person’s mental or emotional state becomes worse quickly, this may be a mental health crisis. In this situation, it is important to get help quickly. 

You can do one of these things: 

If the emergency is related to a young person’s mental health then the CAMHS Crisis team can be contacted 08:00-20:00 hours 

CAMHS Crisis Intervention & Home Treatment Team can be contacted by telephoning: 

Sandwell: 07816075218 

Wolverhampton: 07900226390 

Dudley: 07435996296 

Walsall: 07824565766 

You can contact the 24/7 Mental Health Helpline, which is available to anyone of any age where there are urgent mental health problems. Contact the 24/7 Mental Health Helpline by telephoning NHS 111. 

Follow any safety plan that has already been discussed and set up with you. Please also see our self-harm info and our suicidal thoughts info. 

If you are not known to CAMHS, you can contact your GP for an emergency appointment. 

                                                                                                                         
If someone is at immediate risk of danger - It is always important to keep yourself and others safe. 

Call 999, explain the situation and someone trained to help will talk you through this 

Other Useful Resources and Helplines –  

24/7 Mental Health Telephone Support Tel: 111 (option 2) 

Papyrus (HOPELINE UK): 0800 068 41 41 

Samaritans: 08457 909 090 or jo@samaritans.org.uk 

MIND Information Line: 08457 660 163 (self-help books are also available) 

Youth Access: 02087 729 900 

BEAT: 08088010677 or www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk 

Useful books to help support your child with their Mental Health –  

“What to do when you worry too much” – Dawn Huebner, Ph.D. 

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – A child’s guide to overcoming anxiety – Poppy O’Neill 

“The You Are Awesome Journal” – Matthew Syed 

“You’re a star” – A child’s guide to self-esteem – Poppy O’Neill 

“Self-esteem and Mental Health” – Anna Claybourne 

“How Not To Lose It” – Anna Williamson