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Mental Health
What is mental health?
Everyone has mental health, in the same way we all have physical health
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‘Mental health’ covers our emotional, psychological and social well- being
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It affects how we think, feel and behave
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Having good mental health doesn’t mean you feel happy 24/7 - good mental health means you experience a range of everyday emotions including happiness, sadness, joy, anxiety, anger etc.
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However, if the feelings seem more intense than just ‘everyday feelings’ and they hang around for a long time, then it’s time to ask someone for help
Mr Tom Haines, our Designated Safeguarding Lead, is also our Senior Mental Health Lead and oversees our whole school approach to Mental Health and coordinates referrals into external agencies.
If young people are worried about their mental health, there are a number of people in school they can talk to including their tutor, their year team, the Safeguarding Team, the School Nurse and the School Counsellors. Alternatively they can speak to any member of staff they trust and feel comfortable talking to. If they can’t help directly, they will be able to refer them to someone who can.
Outside of school there are a fantastic range of online resources which provide support and signpost you to the relevant services, including:
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Shout - a free, 24/7 texting service for anyone in a mental health crisis
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Young Minds - a website for young people containing lots of resources for mental health
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ChildLine - a free phone service if a young person needs any support
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Samaritans - a charity providing emotional support to anyone who needs it
There’s also a number of apps you can download, including:
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Tellmi - a new mental health app for young people in Oxfordshire which is free, safe and anonymous
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Calm - a simple mindfulness meditation app
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Headspace - meditation made simple
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What’s Up - an app which teaches you ways to cope with depression, anxiety, stress, anger and more.
