Student Wellbeing and Support Services

Locally and nationally, the number of children and young people needing support with their mental health and emotional wellbeing is on the rise.  

Similar to many of you we have grown frustrated at the level of support available and the length of time to access this support.   

Here is information for parents and carers about how to access support for young people as well as some tips on how to approach conversations around mental health. We hope you find these useful and with the summer approaching and lockdown restrictions set to lift we also hope pupils enjoy reconnecting with friends and getting out and about.

Chailey School Mental Health and Wellbeing Team

Support guides

New ‘Recipes 4 Wellbeing’ cards produced by Sussex Partnership NHS

Foundation Trust, designed to help support young people experiencing

difficulties with their mental wellbeing. There are 15 guides covering a range of

support and advice from anxiety, bullying, sexuality, gender identity, transition to

schools, loss and bereavement, to name a few.

Sussex Mental Healthline 

This helpline for mental health care and advice (which is now 24 hours, 7 days a week, for all ages and carers) is the best number to call for many mental health concerns during the pandemic. People who have general concerns about their mental health can also phone to receive psychological support at this time. 

Phone: 0800 0309 500 

Health in mind 

A free NHS service for East Sussex residents who are experiencing stress, anxiety or low mood. Also anyone recovering from covid-19. You can self-refer through the website, and also find videos, top tips, free online therapy programmes and information on coping with the pandemic. The service is currently being offered via the phone or online via a secure video platform. Currently they are not able to offer face to face treatment. 

Once a referral has been received, the team will talk to you about what can be offered based on your needs. 

Phone: 0300 003 0130 

Email: spnt.healthinmind@nhs.net 

I-Rock 

Young people (aged 14-25 years) can access advice and support on emotional and mental wellbeing. The service is open daily from 11am to 6pm through video link, phone or email, and their website. 

Available in Hastings, Eastbourne and Newhaven 

Email: irockhastings@gmail.com 

E-wellbeing 

A new digital wellbeing service to support 13-25 year olds in Sussex with their mental health, designed by young people, for young people. The website provides self-help information, handy toolkits and a directory of local services and Coronavirus advice. 

E-motion 

Free online counselling service for 12-18 year olds in East Sussex. It is not a crisis or emergency service, but can allow you to talk about your problems and feelings in a safe supportive and private space. Visit the website to register. 

Teen Talk 

A Young Carers counselling service for 12-18 year olds in Hastings and Rother run by Care for the Carers. Teen Talk offers up to 12 sessions with a qualified and experienced counsellor to provide emotional support to any young person who is affected by their caring role. Assessments and sessions are currently taking place over the phone. 

Phone: 01323 738 390 

Sussex CAMHS 

Support with emotional and wellbeing, for children, young people and their parents or carers. Their website has lots of information, resources and short films about common problems. 

YoungMinds 

For support and information on services for children, young people and parents and carers. Includes advice about mental health during the pandemic. 

Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm) 

Holding Space (Eastbourne) 

A small charitable organisation which support families going through mental ill health, currently offering free, friendly online support sessions for parents and carers, as well as phone support. 

Room to Rant (Eastbourne) 

Room to Rant is a space for young men to rap and get stuff off their chest. It is a rap and spoken word initiative that tackles men’s mental health. 

Phone: 01273 628 414 

ESTEEM 

Offers free activities for meeting friends and being active in your community; this includes free wellbeing support (counselling and half-hour check-in’s if a fast response is needed). Get matched with a mentor to help find jobs and achieve your goals. 

Phone: 07490 447 333 

East Sussex School Health Service 

If you are between 11 and 19 years and parents/carers of 15-19 year olds and you do not know where to seek support, this service can offer you free help and advice for your physical and emotional wellbeing. 

Phone: 0300 123 4062 

No Panic – Youth Helpline 

Is a confidential helpline for those aged between 13 and 20 years old which aims to help young people with anxiety, panic, phobias, OCD and the specific anxieties that young people experience. 

Young People’s Centre (YPC) 

Is a safe and social space with a café located in the centre of Brighton where young people aged 13-25 can access free advice, support and counselling, as well as affordable food, activities and free access to computers and the internet. 

Phone: 01273 887 886 Or 07928 808825 

Email: youthsupport.ypc@impact-initiatives.org.uk 

Mental Health Foundation

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/looking-after-your-mental-health 

MHF website – offers advice, support, information about various mental health issues.  

Sussex Health and Care

https://www.sussexhealthandcare.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PARENT__CARERS_DIGITAL.pdf 

Parent/carer guide to looking after child’s mental health and wellbeing 

Chailey School

Mental Health and Resilience Strategy

The Role of the School

Chailey School has a statutory responsibility relating to social, emotional, mental health and wellbeing. Chailey School takes this statutory responsibility seriously and is mindful of it in all decision making.

We believe all young people have an entitlement to appropriate education – appropriate to their needs and which promotes high standards and fulfilment of potential.

We believe all young children should be able to:

• Achieve their best

• Become confident individuals living fulfilling lives

• Make a successful transition into adulthood, whether into employment, further or higher education

• Ensure young people with SEN get the support they need and ensure they can engage in the activities of the school alongside young people with no SEN

Chailey School believes that resilience is not a personality trait. Inner characteristics play a part, but resilience is something that can be promoted and developed, through the provision of support and opportunities for growth.

Resilience can be defined as ‘positive development despite adversity’ (Luthar 2003) or ‘the ability to withstand and rebound from disruptive life challenges, strengthened and more resourceful’ (Walsh 2008).

A whole school approach to positive metal health is crucial and must involve all staff and the whole school and wider community.

Chailey School promotes resilience and good mental health in the following ways:

Whole School Resilience and Positive Mental Health Strategies

Whole School Approach to Promoting Positive Mental Health

• ‘Live’ CPD ensures all staff have information on promoting good mental health with resource areas in shared drive

• First Aid mental health training for staff

• Whole school themes promoted e.g. kindness inassemblies

• Genuine student voice, including GCSE pupil voice

• The school uses all local resources available, including voluntary and community services e.g. listening service?

Positive School Climate that Enhances Belonging and Connectedness

• Assembly programme

• Vulnerable students have a ‘named’ staff member for support

• Respectful school culture

• Safe spaces at social times e.g. Library, LSU

• Information about vulnerable learners is shared

• Staff wellbeing e.g. working group

• Curriculum planning, teaching and learning e.g. promotion of problem solving

• Extra-curricular provision including physical and mental stimulation

• Policies on opposing social division

   

Clear Policy on Behaviour and Bullying

• Use of ‘The Study’ to provide workshops on common mental health issues e.g. anxiety nurture

• Available staff to listen to student concerns; SSM and tutors with wellbeing sessions

• New consistent rewards and sanctions policies – Sept 2018

• ‘Open door’ policy for young people – promotion of ChildLine and ‘keepsafe’ email address at Chailey School, to raise concerns

   

We adopt an individual approach based on specific needs and support for individual students

• Involves the student, e.g. time out cards

• Uses a multi-agency approach as often as possible e.g. EWO

• Thrive approach to individual students

Useful Websites:

E-motion is a new online counselling service available for young people aged between 12 and 18 in East Sussex.

All the counsellors at E-motion are trained and experienced young people's counsellors who have completed specialised online training and work under the guidelines and codes of ethics of the British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists.

To browse the website for more information on the service click on the following link: www.e-motion.org.uk

For counselling services send an email to: hello@e-motion.org.uk

For enquiries and information email: enquiries@e-motion.org.uk

For more information about the service, please refer to the 'Frequently Asked Questions' document under the related files section of this page.

Self Harm - Helpful Links

www.stem4.org.uk

Calm Harm-app

What is self-harm?     National Self-Harm Network-

http://www.nshn.co.uk/downloads/What_is_self_harm.pdf

Advice for young people

http://www.nshn.co.uk/downloads/Advice_for_young_people.pdf

Distractions

http://www.nshn.co.uk/downloads/Distractions.pdf