Mental Health & Wellbeing

We are mindful of the pressures facing young people and recognise that at times, some of our students may need some extra emotional support. 

Through our Personal Development programme (inc RSHE) we provide students with various strategies that they can use to help them face the day-to-day challenges of life, and signpost them to useful resources that might be of help to them at different times.  However, we recognise that sometimes students can need a bit more support.

Different services and approaches suit different students. At Uffculme Primary School, we have a number of ways, in and out of school, to help support our students.  Students can speak to their Class Teacher or any School Adult if they have any concerns or worries and are finding it difficult to cope.  There are also other places that students can go to for support.

In-School Support

Where students need additional support with their mental health and wellbeing this can be accessed through the following routes:

Childrens Senior Mental Health Lead

This person will lead and develop and implement a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.

Research indicates that taking a coordinated and evidence-informed approach to mental health and wellbeing leads to improved emotional health and wellbeing in children and young people, and greater readiness to learn.

Designated Pastoral Teaching Assistant

Mrs Yells and other ELSA trained staff play a vital role in supporting many children at the school with a range of needs. This includes anxiety and social issues.

Useful Contacts and Resources

Below is a list of charities and organisations that provide support to children and/or their families where there are issues around mental health and wellbeing

ChatHealth

ChatHealth is a text service for young people aged 13-19 at secondary school to reach out to the School Nurse team for confidential advice on a wide range of issues such as bullying, emotional health and wellbeing, sexual health as well as illnesses.

For more information please visit: Home Page - ChatHealth

Phone: 07520 631722

 ChildLine

Childline is a free and confidential service. It offers children and young people a safe way to explore their worries however big or small. Support is available by phone or online any time, day or night, plus there is a lot of information and advice on their website on a wide range of issues.

For more information please visit: Childline | Childline

Phone: 0800 1111 (Freephone)

 The Mix

The Mix provides safe and confidential group chat and discussion boards, plus messaging support services and telephone counselling for young people under 25. You can visit the website, call the freephone number, or if you need help immediately you can also text The Mix on their crisis messenger text service which provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you’re aged 25 or under, and are experiencing any painful emotion or are in crisis, you can text THEMIX to 85258.

For more information please visit: The Mix - Essential support for under 25s

Phone: 0808 808 4994 (Freephone)

 Young Minds Parents’ Hub and Helpline

If you are a parent needing help with your child’s emotional wellbeing you can contact the Young Minds Parent Helpline on 0808 802 5544, or visit their website, which has lots of excellent advice and information including topics such as ‘starting a conversation with your child’ and ’20 activities for 20 minutes’.

For more information please visit: Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds

Phone: 0808 802 5544

Young Devon

Counselling is being offered via Zoom video link where possible, and there is currently about a 6 week waiting list. Young Devon is also offering face to face counselling, but the waiting list is a bit longer.  

To request support, the young person will need to complete their online referral form at:  Wellbeing | Young Devon

Phone: 07935 364 652

Email:  yes.exeter@youngdevon.org

 Tiverton Youth Centre – Space Youth Services

Tiverton Youth Centre offers a safe and supportive social space for young people. They offer fun and informative activities every session – and each week has a packed programme with challenges, cooking and crafts for young people to participate in. Aside from all the fun, their youth workers offer group and 1-1 support, or advice on issues that affect young people; like relationships, alcohol and drug use, or support with peer pressure and general mental well-being.

For more information please visit: Tiverton — Space Youth Services

 Papyrus UK – Suicide Prevention Charity

Support for young people thinking about suicide

For more information please visit: Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide (papyrus-uk.org)

HopeLine 0800 068 4141

 Child Bereavement UK

For more information please visit: Child Bereavement UK Phone: 0800 02 888 40

or CRUSE Bereavement Support Phone: 0808 808 1677

Self Help Resources

The following websites, apps and courses provide useful sources of self-help for young people and families around mental health and wellbeing

Anxiety Canada

Information to help young people manage anxiety plus self-help strategies for many disorders.

Website address: Anxiety in Youth - Anxiety Canada

 

SAMApp

Free app (and advert free)  for Supporting Anxiety Management. SAMapp will help you to understand what causes your anxiety, monitor your anxious thoughts and behaviour over time and manage your anxiety through self-help exercises and private reflection.

Website address:   Self-help App for the Mind (SAM) (mindgarden-tech.co.uk)

Living Life to the Full for Young People

Free online course covering low mood, stress and resilience especially for young people. Work out why you feel as you do, how to tackle problems, build confidence, get going again, feel happier, stay calm, tackle upsetting thinking and more.  Use Code YPVC84475 or YPVC94570 to access for free

Website address: LLTTF for Young People (llttfyp.com)

Dove Self-Esteem Project: FREE Resources for Parents

The Dove Self-Esteem Project is all about boosting children and young people’s self-esteem and body confidence – and supporting parents to start important conversations at home. The free parent resources from Dove UK and Parent Zone include:

  • Uniquely Me Parent’s Guide – a 40-page booklet full of guidance and practical checklists for families to use together

  • Podcast, which dives deeper into some of the issues covered by Uniquely Me

  • Expert information and advice on Parent Info

To access these resources please visit: Parenting teens: Dove Self-Esteem Project resources