Latton Green Mental Health and Wellbeing
At Latton Green Primary Academy, we are committed to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing for our whole school community (children, staff, parents and carers). In addition to promoting positive mental health, we aim to recognise and respond to mental ill health. By developing and implementing practical, relevant and effective mental health policies and procedures, we can promote a safe and stable environment for students affected, both directly and indirectly, by mental ill health. We also recognise our role in ensuring that children learn about what they can do to maintain positive mental health, what affects their mental health, how they can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and where they can go if they need help and support.
Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy can be found here.
What is mental health?
Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.” (World Health Organisation 2022)
At Latton Green we:
- help children to understand their emotions and have the language to express these feelings
- help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries by building positive and trusting relationships with school adults through our Trauma Perceptive Practice
- help children socially to form and maintain relationships
- promote self-esteem and ensure children know that they matter and that they belong
- encourage children to be confident to try and have the resilience to fail and manage setbacks
We offer different levels of support:
From the class teacher to accessing external agency support, there are many pathways that we employ in order to support our school community. Our full Intervention Map can be found here.
We also have a Mental Health First Aider, Mrs Wallsworth, who can support any member of our school community to access appropriate help, offer support if your child, or you yourself, are experiencing mental health difficulties.
Looking after your child's mental health
Advice as to how you can support your child’s mental health and emotional wellbeing can be found here https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/supporting-others/childrens-mental-health/
National Helplines for adults and children
Childline
A place a child or young person can talk to someone about something they are worried about. They can do this online or over the phone. (call 08001111)
NSPCC
This charity works against child abuse - a helpline is available for parents or other adults concerned about a child (0808 8025544).
The Samaritans
A confidential helpline which offers support and advice to those in emotional distress. (call 116 123)
Papyrus
Charity working to prevent young suicide with a helpline for those worried about themselves or someone they know (call 0800 068 4141; text 0778 620 9697).
A West Essex charity working to support mental health and wellbeing Call: 01371 876 641 Website: https://www.mindinwestessex.org.uk/
General mental health and support
Doc Ready
Prepares young people for their first visit to their GP to talk about their mental health.
Get Connected
Support and signposting for young people under the age of 25. Telephone, email, text and web chat support.
Kooth
Online counselling and support for children and young people.
Mind in West Essex
National mental health charity providing information and advice.
Sane
Information on mental health, as well as telephone, email and text support. Includes an online forum for over-18s.
The Mix
Mental health information and support for the under-25s.
Time to Change
Personal stories from young people about why mental health matters.
The Youth Wellbeing Directory
Online resource for families and young people up to the age of 24 listing local mental health services in their area.
Anxiety
No Panic
Helpline for young people who suffer from panic attacks, OCD, phobias, and other related anxiety disorders (call 0330 606 1174).
Bullying
Bullying UK
Advice and support for dealing with bullying.
RespectMe
Scotland's anti-bullying service working with adults involved in the lives of children and young people to give them the practical skills and confidence to deal with children who are bullied and those who bully others.
Top Tips for Preventing Cyberbullying
This is a free resource that brings attention to cyberbullying and how to prevent it from happening.
Depression
Charlie Waller Memorial Trust
Includes information for children and young people on how to recognise the signs of depression.
My CAMHS Choice
Information and support for young people who have been referred to the CAMHS system.
Students Against Depression
Information, advice and real-life stories for university students struggling with depression.
Drugs and alcohol
Addiction
Information about drug and alcohol problems.
Nacoa
Information and support for children and young people affected by a parent’s alcohol use.
Eating disorders
Beat Eating Disorders
Helplines, online support and self-help groups on all types of eating disorder.
Hearing voices
Voice Collective
Resources for young people who hear, see and sense things that others don’t. Support for parents is also offered.
Medication
Head Meds
Information for young people around medication, mental health and life.
OCD
OCD UK
Information and support on OCD, including online support forums.
Self-harm
Life Signs
Information and support on self-harm in children and young people.
National Self-Harm Network
A forum providing crisis support, resources and advice on dealing with self-harm.
Recover Your Life
Information and support around self-harm. Includes forums, online chat, open 24/7.
Self Harm UK
Information for parents and professionals on self-harming behaviour.
Apps/tools for children and young people
Specifically for young people to help them manage their anxiety. There are lots of tools, techniques and advice.
Mood Panda
Half moodtracker, half social network. It allows children and young people to choose whether to keep their mood private or share it publicly for support from other Mood Panda users.
Mood Scope
A mood tracking tool; the basic features are free but you have to pay for more in-depth features.
Personal Zen
Games that have been clinically proven to reduce stress.
Recovery Record
Self-help tool for children and young people suffering from eating disorders.
SAM (Self-Help for Anxiety Management)
Help with anxiety management which includes interactive games and tools, and an anxiety tracker.