Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing

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.

St. Mary’s Catholic High School has a tiered approach to supporting the Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing of our pupils. Our whole school mission and ethos, policies, pastoral system and best practice support positive Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing of all children. Where children show emerging needs, they are supported by targeted provision available in school through the Wellbeing Team (Early Help Provision). Pupils with more complex needs will supported by the help of specialist external agencies.

Safeguarding
 

At St Mary’s, we aim to promote positive mental health for every member of our staff and student body.  We pursue this aim using both universal, whole school approaches and specialised, targeted approaches to support our young people. In addition to promoting positive mental health, we aim to recognise and respond to mental ill health. In 2022, 18.0% of children aged 7 to 16 years and 22.0% of young people aged 17 to 24 years had a probable mental disorder (NHS statistics). St Mary’s has the established Wellbeing Team in-house to address the needs of our most vulnerable students and families, in conjunction with the existing pastoral support structure. The Wellbeing Team is comprised of an Early Help Coordinator and Family Resource worker (also the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) School Counsellors, Compass Changing Loves Mental Health Support Team and the NHS School Nursing Team. The Wellbeing Team does not replace Social Care or clinical mental health support.

There is more awareness than ever about mental health and the importance of emotional wellbeing throughout our society. There are many agencies and organisations we can turn to for help when we feel unable to cope, however, we can also look after ourselves more effectively to protect our emotional health. We are keen to instil resilience and independence in all of our students, and self-care plays a significant part in this. How much we sleep, what we eat and drink, how much we exercise all affect how we feel physically and emotionally. The world we live in is arguably more demanding than in the past, so the strategies we use to cope with stress are also crucial in maintaining a healthy, positive and productive lifestyle.

To encourage and support our school community in developing and maintaining positive emotional health, we have complied an A-Z directory of organisations and advice on self-care. We hope that this will help our students, parents, carers and staff in taking a proactive approach to taking good care of their wellbeing. We believe that this is essential for everyone to achieve their God given potential and lead a happy and purposeful life.

 

Links

Health Advice for all

ANGER MANAGEMENT

Dealing with anger in teenagers – Family Lives

Anger Management Work with Young People

Dealing with anger

Parents Mental Health Support

How to deal with Anger

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

Alcohol & drugs- A parent’s guide

Dealing with Young People’s Alcohol & drug abuse

Teenagers and risky behaviour

EATING DISORDERS

Understanding eating problems 2017

Understanding body dysmorphic disorder 2016

Food and mood

EXAM STRESS

Rise above exam stress- Public Health England

Beat exam stress- Childline

Tim Benton Revision Notes

Easter Revision Timetable

Weekly Revision Timetable

FINANCIAL ISSUES

Financial issues- useful contacts

HEALTHY LIVING

Digital life balance

Eating well 12-18 Years-Practical Guide

Get a good night’s sleep

Healthy eating for teenagers factsheet

Mental health and exercise

Sleep hygiene-Teens Handout

Sleep Information Sheet

Sleep problems self-help guide

Teens Take Charge advice booklet

The impact of physical activity on wellbeing

MENTAL HEALTH

Bereavement self-help guide

Bipolar disorder-2018

Borderline personality disorder-2018

Depression- Royal College of Psychiatrists

Dialectical behaviour therapy-2017

How to cope when supporting someone else-2017

How to support someone who feels suicidal-2017

Hypomania and mania-2016

Every mind matters NHS

Nature and mental health-2018

Parenting with a mental health problem 2016

Post traumatic stress disorder

Safety Plans & Mental Health Challenge the Storm

Seeking help for a mental health problem

Self harm- Royal College of Psychiatrists

Understanding antidepressants-2016

Understanding depression 2016

Understanding mental health problems-2018

Understanding OCD

Understanding paranoia

Understanding phobias-2017

Understanding psychosis 2016

Understanding schizoaffective disorder

Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder

Understanding self harm

Wellbeing Booklet for AFC students

RELATIONSHIPS & FAMILY LIFE

Domestic abuse and healthy relationships for teens

Family life and discipline

Family Lives Helpline

Gangs, teenagers and your family

Staying together or splitting up

Successful stepfamilies

Teenage relationship abuse

STRATEGIES TO MANAGE STRESS AND ANXIETY

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

How to manage stress

Mindfulness Resources and links

Mindfulness-2018

Moving to secondary school

Panic and coping self-help guide

Promoting emotional resilience

Relaxtion techniques

Talking therapy and counselling-2018

Understanding anxiety and panic attacks