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Mental Health
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.
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:
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Achieve their best
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Become confident individuals living fulfilling lives
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Make a successful transition into adulthood, whether into employment, further or higher education
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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).
Chailey Mental Health Strategy
A whole school approach to positive mental 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
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‘Live’ CPD ensures all staff have information on promoting good mental health with resource areas in shared drive
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First Aid mental health training for staff
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Whole school themes promoted e.g. kindness in assemblies
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Genuine student voice, including GCSE pupil voice
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The school uses all local resources available, including voluntary and community services.
Positive School Climate that Enhances Belonging and Connectedness
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Assembly programme
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Vulnerable students have a ‘named’ staff member for support
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Respectful school culture
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Safe spaces at social times e.g. Library, LSU
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Information about vulnerable learners is shared
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Staff wellbeing e.g. working group
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Curriculum planning, teaching and learning e.g. promotion of problem solving
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Extra-curricular provision including physical and mental stimulation
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Policies on opposing social division
Clear Policy on Behaviour and Bullying
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Use of ‘The Study’ to provide workshops on common mental health issues e.g. anxiety nurture
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Available staff to listen to student concerns; SSM and tutors with wellbeing sessions
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New consistent rewards and sanctions policies – Sept 2018
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‘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
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Involves the student, e.g. time out cards, with specific strategies personalised to each student
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Uses a multi-agency approach as often as possible e.g. EWO
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Thrive approach to individual students
Mental Health Awareness Day
Useful Websites:
https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/
https://embracecvoc.org.uk/counselling/
https://www.holdingspace.org.uk/
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health
https://www.themix.org.uk/ - specifically for under 25s.
https://holdingspace.org.uk/events/
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.
Chailey School Mental Health and Wellbeing Team
| Mental Health First Aiders |
| Ms Dani Abbott |
| Ms Vicki Harper |
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 exiety, 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.
Website: Home Page - e-wellbeing
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.
Website: e-motion Counselling East Sussex
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)
YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds
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.
Phone: 01323 315005
Holding Space: Family Mental Health Support in East Sussex
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
Creating space for young adults to thrive - ESTEEM
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
School Health | East Sussex (eastsussexchildren.nhs.uk)
Beat Eating Disorders
Since COVID Eating Disorders have become the second most common reason for referrals to Child Mental Health Service. There has been an 84% increase in hospital admissions over this time"
If you would like support for a Young Person with Eating Difficulties we can recommend Beat's Helpline services
Phone: 0808 801 0677
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
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.
Phone: 0300 772 9844
Youth Helpline and Services - NoPanic
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
MHF website – offers advice, support, information about various mental health issues.
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/looking-after-your-mental-health
The National Sleep Helpline
At any given time up to 40% of adults and 50% of children (this rises to 80% with a SEND diagnosis) have difficulties with their sleep. Yet in a recent survey, almost 60% of adults felt there was a lack of support for sleep issues. Sleep problems can leave people feeling isolated and lonely.
Our free helpline is run by trained sleep advisors, many of whom are specialists in working with SEND. We can talk to young people directly, or parents (we can also talk to adults, including older people, about their sleep issues).
The helpline is open 5 times a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday evenings 7-9pm, and Monday, Wednesday mornings 9-11am. The number is 03303 530 541.
You can read more here: https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/national-sleep-helpline/
Sussex Health and Care
Parent/carer guide to looking after child’s mental health and wellbeing
https://www.sussexhealthandcare.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PARENT__CARERS_DIGITAL.pdf
Self Harm - Helpful Links
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
