“Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

World Health Organisation, 2018

Mental health and well-being and the Church of England vision for education

The core of the Church of England’s Vision for Education is underpinned by the belief that education should support human flourishing, or ‘fullness of life’. This should equip children and young people in their understanding of who they are, why they are here, what they desire and how they should live. The vision also puts emphasis on a rounded education which should equip young people with strong foundations that will carry them through into adulthood.

Our school values and vision statement mirror the Church of England's vision for education, ensuring a holistic approach to nurturing the whole child, our staff, families and community. Our aim is to put well-being at the heart of school life.

We aim to develop resilience, nurturing confidence and self-esteem within our school and wider community:

• Belonging – encouraging good relationships: concentrating on positive times and places, remaining hopeful about new connections and having people in your life you can count on.
• Learning – having opportunities in and outside of school to develop interests, talents and life skills, including mapping out or having a view to the future.
• Coping – embedding the skills needed to manage the knocks of everyday living, like problem-solving, staying calm and leaning on others if needed.
• Core self – developing those things that help children and young people to develop a strong sense of themselves, including ways to build and nurture their confidence, self-esteem and character.
• Accepting – starting with exactly where a child, young person or family are at, even if it means being at a very sore point, returning to ‘unconditional positive regard’, which means trying not to judge people and appreciating them or their basic humanity come what may.
• Conserving – holding on to anything good that has happened up until now and building on it. When there is so much difficulty around, ‘preserving’ the little positive that there becomes even more precious.
• Commitment – staying in there and being explicit about what your commitment can be. Being realistic about what’s doable and not giving up or expecting things to change overnight.

 

Local support:

For children:

Childline-

Childline offer telephone advice or support to children, young people and their families. Their telephone line is open 24 hours a day. If you need to talk to somebody then you can ring 0800 1111.

Childline also have an online chat where young people can talk to a counsellor one to one. Visit www.childline.org.uk for more advice.

On their website you will find videos and activities for ideas of managing difficult feelings- look a section on the website called ‘The Calm Zone’.

 

 

 

Kids Health-

Kids Health have online advice for parents, children and teenagers about a number of different health issues and how to enhance positive wellbeing. Have a look at their website- https://kidshealth.org for more advice on how to look after your body in the best way possible.

 

Kooth Online-

Kooth offer confidential support and advice for children and young people, who are 11 years plus who are struggling with their mental health or with managing their emotions. They have an online chat which can be accessed via- https://kooth.com/

 

 

MindEd-

www.minded.org.uk offer online resources and advice for parents or carers whose children are experiencing challenges with their mental health. They offer step by step advice about what to do if you are worried or faced with a crisis.

 

The Mix-

The Mix is a nationwide support service for young people up to the age of 25 years. They offer advice about lots of different issues including mental health, relationships, your body, money, crime, study and lifestyle.

If you want to find out more you can visit their website on, www.themix.org.uk . They have lots of articles on lots of different issues which you might find useful.

They also have a free phone number which is open daily from 11am to 11pm. You can ring on; 0808 8084994.

 

NSPCC-

The NSPCC is a national charity aiming to promote the protection of children and young people from any abuse. If you are a parent or carer and wanted to talk to somebody if you are worried about a child contact their helpline on 0808 800 5000. This is open 24 hours and is a free phone number.

Papyrus-

Papyrus is the National charity for prevention of young suicide. They have a hope line that is open 10am-10pm Weekdays and 2pm-10pm on weekends. The number is 0800 068 4141.

 

Samaritans-

The Samaritans will listen to you and help you talk through your concerns, worries and troubles.

You can call them on 116 123. This number is free to call and can be sued 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

 

SHOUT-

This is a crisis text line which is open 24/7 and available to support people who are suicidal, struggling with self-harm, bullying, abuse or support. To get help text SHOUT to 85258.

 

National self-harm network-

The national self-harm network provides information and support to parents, carers, professionals and young people who are struggling with self-harm or wanting some more information about self-harm. The website is www.nshn.co.uk . They have some really useful downloadable documents on their website. You can also access self-help resources specifically to help with managing self-harm.

The key documents that you might find useful are;

-First aid for self-harm

-Distractions that help

-Advice for parents and carers

-Advice for young people

-What is self-harm?

 

The Sleep Charity – https//thesleepcharity.org.uk-

Lots of helpful support for children, teens

 

Young minds-

Young minds do not operate a telephone for children or young people, but there is a list of different support services that are available if you need to talk to somebody but don’t know where to go. You can visit https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/your-guide-to-support/need-to-talk/

If your parents or carers are worried about you and they want some advice, then they can ring the Parents helpline. The helpline number is 0808 802 5544. You can also contact Young minds online via https://youngminds.org.uk/contact-us/parents-helpline-enquiries/. They can take upto three days to reply to emails, so parents should not use this service if they are concerned that their child is at immediate risk of harm.

 

CAMHS – 01977 735865

WF-I-Can Wakefield – Support for children and young people in the Wakefield district.

https://wf-i-can.co.uk

Below are links to other services in Wakefield that support children and young people.

https://wf-i-can.co.uk/013/support/managing-your-feelings for over 13s

https://wf-i-can.co.uk/u13/want-support/manage-your-feelings for under 13s

 

For adults:

Wakefield District Domestic Abuse Service-

WADDAS offer advice and support on their helpline for people 16+ years who are affected by domestic abuse. The helpline number is- 0800 915 1561.

The Well Women Centre-

The Well Women Centre offer lots of different support to women aged 16 years plus to help them with their health and wellbeing.

You can also ring them for support and advice on 01924 211 114.

http://www.wellwomenwakefield.org.uk

Turning Point Talking therapies

Turning point offer direct mental health support to people 16+years. http://wakefield.talking@turning-point.co.uk

Tel: 01924 234860

 

Andy’s man club – support for men for their emotional well being http://www.andysmanclub.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/andysmanclub

Grandparents Plus-

Online support for people looking after children in a kinship placement.

For more information have a look at their website https://www.grandparentsplus.org.uk/ .

Grief Encounter-

An online resource for young people affected by bereavement. There is an online chat service, support and ideas of ways to remember someone important. All on their website- https://www.griefencounter.org.uk/

They also have a support line for young people affected by bereavement- the number is 0808 802 0111 and it runs Monday to Friday 9am-9pm. https://starbereavement.org.uk

Local support for bereaved children, young people and their families in Wakefield.