Mental Health and Wellbeing at NFJI
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| Mental Health Intent Statement NFJI 2022.pdf | Download |
At NFJI, we work closely with NHS Mental Health Support Teams (MHST), Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP), and the Child Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) to support our pupils and parents. We have three trained Mental Health First Aiders in school; Mrs Kirk, Miss Chojnowski and Mrs Roter, and Mrs Norris, Inclusion Leader, is the Designated Mental Health Leader, who co-ordinates the mental health provision in school. We are fortunate to have two Learning Mentors in School; Mrs Robson and Mrs Morgan, who work with children in school and provide a range of pastoral support, including Drawing and Talking Therapy. Mrs Norris work closely with the Team Around the School and Future In Mind to support pupils and families. If you feel that you would like some additional support, please feel free to contact Mrs Norris on 01977 799888.
Since September, our link EMHP has delivered a parental workshop on anxiety and has worked in every class throughout school (Y1-Y6) to deliver age-appropriate information around anxiety and how to deal with worries. These sessions were very well received, here is some of the feedback from the parental anxiety workshop:
"I am so grateful for the ideas Becca (EMHP) have us today. I will try these with my child!" Anonymous parent.
"My child struggles with anxiety and I thought he was the only one. I now know that other children worry too. I can support him better after today. Thank you." Anonymous parent.
"Really great ideas. I will try them with my child. Thank you!" Anonymous parent.
"I would love more session like these. Today was so useful." Anonymous parent.
The feedback from the children was just as positive:
"I enjoyed the workshop because it taught me that it is ok to worry about some things. I know that other people worry too." Y6 pupil - Oak Class
"I learned how to calm myself down if I feel anxious. I liked the breathing techniques." Y6 child - Oak Class
" I thought that the workshop was a nice way to express your feelings. Becca gave us some really good advice." Y5 child - Beech Class
"I enjoyed the mental health workshop. It helped with my breathing and also taught me about adults I can trust." Y6 Oak Class
In Spring Term, our EMHP will deliver training on sleep hygiene. The first session will be a parent workshop, and then every class in school (Y1-Y6) will also take part in a workshop. Dates and times will be sent out on Parent Hub.
At NFJI we work closely with the MHST to produce a 'Mental Health Self-Evaluation Form (SEF). Mrs Norris works closely with the MHST to evaluate our provision and works closely with CAMHS to identify training need for staff and support required for children. This is an ongoing process and highlights out commitment to Mental health and Wellbeing in our school. CAMHS have delivered training in our school this year, to all members of staff including teachers, support staff, Learning Mentors, and lunchtime supervisors.
Future in Mind (FIM) and Team Around the School (TAS)
Mrs Norris meets with CAMHS and The Early Help Hub, based at The Oakhill Centre, to provide support to families in our school. If you feel that your child needs additional support with their mental health and wellbeing, or if you require additional help and support at home, we may be able to offer help and support. Please speak to you child's teacher in the first instance or contact Mrs Norris.
The Oakhill Centre have lots of support available, including:
- Baby Group
- Baby Massage
- Nurture Groups
- Boxing Exercise and Anger Management (BEAM)
- Parenting Programme
- Freedom Programme (domestic violence support)
- Wellbeing Group
- and lots more...
If you are interested in any of these groups, please contact Oakhill on 01924 723942
What is Mental Health?
Mental health and wellbeing is how we feel and think. It is important to remember that we all have mental health, sometimes we have good mental health and other times, we may have poor mental health. In order to maintain positive mental health, it is vital that we know how to express how we feel and understand that feelings can come and go. It is also important that we think of our mental health in the same was as our physical health, and that we teach pupils how to maintain positive mental health. On this page you will find information aimed not only at young people, but also links to support aimed at adults.
Please watch the video below, it explains what mental health is in child friendly terms, and how we can open up discussions about our mental health. The video is made by children, for children.
How can I help myself to feel calm?
There are lots of ways to feel calmer, it's all about what works for you! Maybe try some breathing exercises or activities and games to make you feel more relaxed. Try the 'calm zone' by clicking on the link below. They have lots of information about expressing yourself and advice about ways to cope in tricky times.
Mindful meditation work for some people. Here is one that you could try:
Some people find breathing exercises work for them, you could try one of these below:
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| Breathing exercises.pdf | Download |
You may find yoga relaxing. These clips will guide you through a yoga session alongside a story. Try Spot the Spider and see what you think...
Parent Information
Having a conversation with your child about mental health does not have to be a daunting prospect. The guides below may help you find a way of opening up a discussion about mental health and wellbeing.
Where can I find help?
Please remember that one in four adults struggle with low mood, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. If you are struggling with your own mental health and wellbeing, you could access one of the support networks below:
Samaritans
Phone: 116 123 (freephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: www.samaritans.org
Provide emotional support for people 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They allow people to talk about their feeling of distress and despair and are confidential and offer non-judgemental support.
Counselling Directory
Phone: 0844 8030 240
Website: www.counselling-directory.org.uk
Provides a free, confidential directory of trained professional counsellors and therapists in the UK.
NSPCC
Phone: 0808 800 5000
(Freephone, 24 hours a day, 7days a week – for adults concerned about a child)
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk
Survivors UK
Phone: 0203 598 3898
Email: info@survivorsuk.org
Website: www.survivorsuk.org
Survivors UK provides help and support for men who have experienced sexual violence or abuse. This includes counselling and online and SMS chat support services run by professionals who specialise in the field of male sexual abuse.
Women’s Aid
Phone: 0808 2000 247
(Freephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk
Website: www.womensaid.org.uk
Women’s Aid are a grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services and build a future where domestic violence is not tolerated.
Addaction
Phone: 020 7251 5860
Email: info@addaction.org.uk
Website: www.addaction.org.uk
Addaction supports adults, children, young adults and older people to make positive behavioural changes around alcohol, drugs, mental heath and wellbeing.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Phone: 0800 9177 650 (freephone, national helpline)
Email: help@alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Alcoholics Anonymous runs self-help groups across Great Britain for anyone affected by alcohol use issues who wants to change their drinking behaviours, based on 12 step model of recovery.
Drinkline
Phone: 0300 123 1110 (freephone, 9am-8pm Mon-Fri; 11am-4pm Sat-Sun)
Drinkline is a free, confidential national helpline for people who are concerned about their own or somebody else’s drinking.
Gamblers Anonymous UK
Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Gamblers Anonymous runs self-help groups across the UK for anyone affected by addictive gambling behaviours who wants to change, based on 12 step model of recovery.
Talk to Frank
Phone: 0300 123 6600 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Text: 82111
Email: frank@talktofrank.com
Website: www.talktofrank.com
Talk to Frank is the national drug education service established in 2003. It provides information on legal and illegal drugs for teenagers and adolescents, including a confidential information line and live chat services on its website.
Anxiety UK
Phone: 08444 775 774
(Infoline, 9.30am-5.30pm, Mon-Fri)
Text: 07537 416 905
Email: support@anxietyuk.org.uk
Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Anxiety UK is a national charity run by people with lived experience of anxiety, aiming to support everyone affected by anxiety through information and support. This includes talking therapies and self-help groups.
OCD-UK
Phone: 0845 390 6263
Email: support@ocdaction.org.uk
Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk
OCD Action is the national charity focusing on obsessive compulsive disorder. It provides support and information to those affected by OCD, and works to increase awareness of it. Runs a variety of self-help groups across the country as well as online support groups and advocacy services.
Triumph over Phobia
Phone: 01225 571 740
Email: info@topuk.org
Website: www.topuk.org
Triumph over phobia is a UK charity which aims to help sufferers of phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder and other related anxiety to overcome their fears.
Bereavement Advice Centre
Phone: 0800 634 9494
(Freephone helpline, 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri)
Website: www.bereavementadvice.org
The bereavement advice centre supports and advises people after death in England and Wales. Their website and helpline provides help with the wide range of practical issues that need to be managed after a bereavement as well as signposting to other support.
Carers Trust
Phone: 0844 800 4361
Email: support@carers.org
Website: www.carers.org
The Carers Trust is a major new charity for, with and about carers. They work to support carers through a wide range of information, providing respite care services and online peer support, including dedicated community for young carers under 18.
Carers UK
Phone: 08008 808 7777
(Freephone Adviceline, 10am-4pm, Mon-Fri)
Website: www.careruk.org
Carers UK aims to make life better for carers, by providing advice on a range of issues. Including financial and practical matters relating to caring, and running an online peer support community of carers across the UK.
Victim Support
Phone: 0808 1689 111 (Freephone, 8am-8pm, Mon-Fri, Weekends 24 hours)
Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk
Victim support is an independent charity working towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and the respect they deserve. They run a confidential free helpline for anyone effected be crime as well as emotional and practical support, including advice on reporting a crime and prosses involved in going to court and what happens during a trail.
Depression UK
Email: info@depressionuk.org
Website: www.depressionuk.org
Depression UK is a national self-help organisation the offers support to everyone affected by depression.
ABC (Anorexia & Bulimia Care)
Phone: 0300 011 1213 (helpline)
Email: support@anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk
Website: www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk
Anorexia & Bulimia Care is a national UK eating disorder organisation providing ongoing care, emotional support and practical guidance for anyone affected by eating disorders. Includes nutritional guidance/support and befriending services.
Education Support Partnership
Phone: 0800 0562 561
(Freephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Text: 07909 341 229
Email: support@edsupport.org.uk
Website: www.educationsupport.org.uk
Provides free confidential counselling for teachers, including online chat services.
Minds guide to workplace mental health
Website: www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work
Mental health charity Mind’s dedicated website section on workplace mental health provides guidance to help employers take care of themselves and their staff.
Family Action
Phone: 020 7254 6251
Email: info@familt-action.org.uk
Website: www.family-action.org.uk
Family Action transforms lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation across England. They aim to strengthen families and communities by building skills and resilience. Their support services include a focus on a parental mental health issues, including issues such as perinatal depression.
Citizen’s Advice
Phone: 03444 111 444
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Citizen’s advice provides free, independent information and advice for people on money, legal, consumer, housing and other problems. Its website is searchable for local citizen’s advice bureaus and also has a dedicated web chat service.
Grassroots
Email: office@prevent-suicide.org.uk
Website: www.prevent-suicide.org.ok
Grassroots is a small charity focused on suicide prevention through training, consultancy and project work, including the #StayAlive app fort hose at risk of suicide or worried about someone else.
Kooth
Website: www.kooth.com
Provides free online support for young people delivered by qualified counsellors via chat-based services.
Childline
Phone: 0800 1111
(Freephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Website: http://www.childline.org.uk/
Provides free confidential counselling and emotional support for children and young people. Online chat services with a counsellor are also available on the website.