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Mental Health & Wellbeing
Aim to Achieve
Kingswinford Academy will aim to instil a strong, positive approach to mental health and wellbeing throughout our community of students, staff and parents. We are committed to prioritising mental health and wellbeing through providing outstanding pastoral care, embedding a proactive approach throughout the school and through open and honest communication. We are committed to raising the awareness of mental health and wellbeing and in doing so helping to reduce stigma and discrimination.
Moral Purpose
We want to enable all members of our community to thrive as we recognise that poor mental health and wellbeing will affect our community reaching their Academic and Personal potential. We aim to create a culture of positive mental health and wellbeing across the community, where staff and students feel comfortable and confident to talk about their mental health and support is readily available for all students and staff.
This work will link with our PHSE and RSE curriculum intent, with the aim to generate healthy discussion amongst our students about risk factors that could impact on their mental health and how to seek support if they need it, in order to lead a healthy lifestyle. This will be supported through quality first teaching, and targeted support where needed (Curriculum intent and Attendance intent).
In having a coordinated and strategic approach, we can ensure that we are not merely responding to issues but being proactive.
What is Mental Health?
It is a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community” - World Health Organisation.
What is Wellbeing?
The World Health Organisation states that wellbeing is “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Is there a difference between mental health and wellbeing?
Mental health relates to the social and emotional wellbeing of an individual. Wellbeing is a blanket term for having good mental and physical health. When we reference wellbeing, we talk about the overall health of an individual. Having good overall wellbeing is associated with having good mental health.
Why is Mental Health and Wellbeing Important?
Young people’s good mental health is as important as their good physical health if they are to develop into independent and confident adults. Good mental health is an essential part of healthy adolescent development; it helps young people build positive social, emotional, thinking and communication skills and behaviours. It also lays the foundation for better mental health and wellbeing later in life. Good wellbeing is important as it can help individuals feel and express a range of emotions, have confidence and positive self-esteem, have good relationships with others and cope with stress and adapt when situations change. Possessing good wellbeing does not mean that individuals will also be happy. It is normal to feel sad, angry and low sometimes.
Research informs us:
- One in six children aged 5 to 16 were identified as having a probable mental health problem in July 2021, a huge increase from 1 in 9 in 2017. That is five children in every classroom.
- The number of A&E attendances by young people aged 18 or under with a recorded diagnosis of a psychiatric condition more than tripled between 2010 and 2018-2019.
- 83% of young people with mental health needs agreed that the coronavirus pandemic had made their mental health worse.
- One third of mental health problems in adulthood are directly connected to an adverse childhood experience (ACE).
- Adults who experience four or more adversities in their childhood are four times more likely to have low levels of mental wellbeing and life satisfaction.
Source: Mental Health Statistics UK | Young People | YoungMinds
What Inclusion and Effective Mental Health Interventions Mean to Us?
● Providing visible leadership for mental and emotional health and wellbeing that is embedded in the academy’s strategic priorities and policies.
● Embedding and promoting a positive ethos, an inclusive and tolerant culture and a sense of belonging for all members of the school community.
● Focus on developing staff skills through a programme of optional CPD and ways for staff to manage their own wellbeing.
● All staff are aware of processes and procedures for support and referral when there are concerns about a child’s mental health and/or wellbeing.
● An awareness of risk factors, protective factors and adverse childhood experiences and how they can impact on a child’s mental health and wellbeing.
● Educating all members of the school community on matters associated with mental health and wellbeing.
● Embedding of all national mental health events during the school year, increasing mental health and
wellbeing through awareness, education, and stigma reduction.
● Embedding mental health and wellbeing activities and initiatives both inside and outside of the
classroom environment to ensure that action is proactive and not reactive.
● Working in collaboration with others e.g., other schools, the community, external agencies.
● Listening to the child’s voice and ensuring their voice is heard at all levels.
● Having guidance to support children’s mental health and wellbeing in the process of transition.
● Early intervention and help, which is specific to each individual child, ensuring their needs are met effectively.
●Involvement and engagement with parents and making modifications to support parents’ mental
health and wellbeing.
● Providing opportunities for parents/carers to engage and support mental health and wellbeing, inclusive of running events which involve parents / carers.
● Providing all members within the school community with information, signposting to external support,
which will be useful around emotional wellbeing and mental health.
● Evaluating the impact of intervention and the progress an individual child is making.
● Sharing knowledge of assessment tools, intervention and progress with other staff and parents / carers (where appropriate).
Strengths in our Current System
● Our Student Support Centre provides a safe space for students to go when they are struggling with their mental health.
● Kingswinford has strong links with agencies who work with our most vulnerable students
● There is a referral system where staff can raise their concerns for students regarding their mental health and wellbeing.
● CPOMS is used to record and safeguard our students, with categories to report mental health concerns and also to report causes for concern related to emotional wellbeing.
● We provide our LGBTQ+ community with a support group where they meet once a week with our
school LGBTQ+ Staff Ambassador to discuss any issues or concerns they have.
● ASPIRE days provide other opportunities for students to discuss and learn about different aspects of mental health and wellbeing.
● Kingswinford raises awareness of mental health and wellbeing on World Mental Health Awareness Day and Mental Health Awareness Week through assemblies and tutor activities to highlight issues and
encourage students to take part in activities that promote positive mental health and wellbeing.
● There is an ‘open door’ policy among middle and senior leaders to allow staff and students to access support when needed
● Student Wellbeing Ambassadors are available each lunchtime as a drop in service for all students. Our Wellbeing Ambassadors are involved in creating and promoting a number of initiatives such as creating a wellbeing journal/positive affirmation jars in Form Room Classrooms.
● Outside agencies are used for more specialised support
● We use surveys such as Pass, SDQ and Boxall profiles to triage support needed for all students.
● We deliver a programme of mental health and wellbeing activities during Wednesday Wellbeing sessions (during Form Time)
● There are various displays and information located around the school and on House Google Classrooms/websites/social media regarding positive mental health, mental health literacy and where to go for help and support.
● Half termly Mental Health and Wellbeing Newsletter.
● Parent/Carer Engagement. A number of forums and workshops are offered half termly.
Throughout the year we take part in key awareness dates which help to raise awareness of mental health, and the problems faced by those living with mental illness (dates can change). Mental health awareness days provide a good opportunity for Kingswinford Academy to promote positive mental health behaviours in students and staff. We deliver a range of assemblies, activities and information to help support students, raise awareness and reduce stigma.
September: World Suicide Prevention Day (10th):
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is an awareness day observed on 10th September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides.
October: World Mental Health Day (10th):
Each year, World Mental Health Day is observed to raise awareness around mental health issues worldwide and mobilise efforts in support of mental health.
October: OCD Awareness Week (Dates can change):
The OCD Awareness Week is an annual event that aims to spread awareness and understanding about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
November: National Stress Awareness Day:
The first Wednesday in November is National Stress Awareness Day. This is an opportunity to think about the effects of stress, physically and mentally, as well as how individuals can manage feelings of stress.
February: Time to Talk Day (Date can change):
Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. Happening every year, it’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives
February: Children’s Mental Health Week (Dates can change) :
Place2Be launched the first ever Children’s Mental Health Week in 2015 to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. Each year, a different theme is explored.
February: Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Dates can change):
EDAW is a national, annual campaign that aims to educate people on the realities of eating disorders. This week aims to challenge myths and misunderstanding around eating disorders.
March: World Bipolar Day (30th):
World Bipolar Day is celebrated globally every year on March 30. It aims to bring awareness about Bipolar Disorder. March 30th was chosen as the date for World Bipolar Day because it’s Vincent van Gogh’s birthday. The famous painter is believed to have had Bipolar Disorder.
April: Stress Awareness Month:
Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992 to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic.
May: Mental Health Awareness Week (9th-15th):
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event where there is an opportunity for the whole of the UK to focus on achieving good mental health. The Mental Health Foundation created the event 22 years ago. Each year, the Mental Health Foundation continues to set the theme, organise and host the week. The event has grown to become one of the biggest awareness weeks across the UK and globally. Mental Health Awareness Week is open to everyone. It is all about starting conversations about mental health and the things in our daily lives that can affect it. Every year – individuals, communities, and governments think about the theme for the week and how it relates to their daily lives and work. It's also a chance to talk about any aspect of mental health that people want to – regardless of the theme.
May: Thank a Teacher Day (26th):
National Thank A Teacher Day is an annual celebration of our schools, colleges, teachers and support staff across the country.
June: Pride Month (1st -30th) :
Pride Month is a significant event that commemorates the LGBTQ+ community's struggle for recognition and acceptance worldwide.
June: Empathy Day (9th):
Empathy Day aims to inspire children and young people to learn more about empathy.
July: National Schizophrenia Awareness Day (25th):
National Schizophrenia Awareness Day is there to raise awareness on the challenges faced by hundreds of thousands of people living with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia in the UK and millions more worldwide.
Levels of Support at Kingswinford:
Universal Support: To meet the needs of all of our students through our ethos, school values, PSHE provision and the wider curriculum. We ensure that mental health and wellbeing is championed, promoted and valued.
Additional Support: For those students who may have short term needs and those who may be vulnerable. This support is low level intervention. Our Student Support Centre (SSC) is central to this layer of support. The Pastoral Team can make internal student referrals to a number of tailored interventions. Referrals are triaged by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead and are discussed with parents/carers and the child. Such interventions range from 1.1 mentoring sessions, social time provision, daily and weekly check in conversations and a wide range of workshops, including but not limited to: Anger Management, Bereavement Nurture, Positive Thinking, Social Skills, Self Esteem, and Respect and Acceptance. We are hoping to extend our provision, and offer further interventions, with a focus on Challenging Negative Thoughts and Low Moods, Healthy Relationships and LGBTQ+/Gender Identity, just to mention a few. We are hoping to link with external agencies to further develop our provision. We also have a number of teachers who are trained as Wellbeing Associates who support and mentor specific students, tailoring support to their needs. In addition to this, our Student Support Centre offers a therapeutic setting with appropriate trauma informed models of therapy intervention.
Targeted Support: For students who need more differentiated support and specific targeted interventions, such as referrals to wider professionals/external agencies. Again, referrals by the Pastoral Team are triaged by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead and are discussed with parents/carers and the child. We have positive collaborative working relationships with a wide variety of agencies, including, but not limited to: Barnardo's, Hear4YOUth, Positive Steps, The WHAT Centre, Reflexions and the Phase Trust.
Supporting parent/carers:
We recognise that family plays a key role in influencing children and young people's emotional health and wellbeing; we will work in partnership with parents and carers to promote emotional health and wellbeing by:
- Ensuring all parents are aware of and have access to promoting social and emotional wellbeing and preventing mental health problems.
- Highlighting sources of information and support about common mental health issues through our communication channels (website, newsletters etc.)
- Ensuring parents, carers and other family members living in disadvantaged circumstances are given the support they need to participate fully in activities to promote social and emotional wellbeing.
- Offer events throughout the year, which can help parents/carers support their children with mental health and wellbeing, such as information sessions with external agencies.
- Regular information/guidance and signposting details placed in Parent/Carer Bulletins.
- At least once a year, parents and carers have the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the school’s mental health and wellbeing provision and support provided (although parents are encouraged to provide feedback at any time during the academic year).
If a child chooses to disclose concerns about themselves, the response needs to be calm and non-judgemental. Here is some advice:
- LISTEN: Listen carefully when a young person opens up to you about how they are feeling- try to let them share without interrupting. Repeating back what they have told you can help you both be clear about what has been said and how they are feeling.
- REASSURE: Often, when someone has opened up about how they are feeling, they might immediately feel vulnerable or worried that their feelings will be dismissed. Reassure them that they have done the right thing by seeking support.
- VALIDATE: No matter what the young person is struggling with, their experiences are valid and it can be helpful to remind the young person of this.
- ACT: When a young person opens up about how they are feeling, having that time and space may be enough. However, if they do need further help it is important that you alert the Safeguarding Team at school, who will be able to support you with this.
- IT’S NOT ALL ON YOU: Young people aren’t asking trusted adults to have all of the answers, fix all their problems or to be a mental health expert. Most often, the most valuable thing you can do is simply to offer to be by their side for the journey.
Student Wellbeing Ambassadors;
Our Wellbeing Ambassadors are a group of students who want to help their peers and make a difference! The students in the Wellbeing Ambassadors team range from Year 7 all the way up to Year 10! Their drop in sessions are every lunchtime.
Our ambassadors have made a pledge to:
- Help to create an open and inclusive school ethos which includes respect and understanding of those with mental ill health.
- Promote equality of opportunity and help to change mental health, stigma and discrimination.
- Help to ensure a consistent and positive approach to student mental health and wellbeing.
- Support peers in school who experience poor mental health, by offering support during social times.
- Encourage peers to talk about mental health.
- Help to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing.
- Support with organising and delivering specific mental health and wellbeing events.
- Help to signpost peers to access support in our academy and from external organisations.
- Support with the delivery of Wellbeing Wednesdays.
Mental health Foundation How to Guides
How to look after your mental health using mindfulness
How to overcome fear and anxiety
Watch these videos from a diverse range of organisations to obtain help and advice on all sorts of topics relating to mental health and wellbeing. Please take a look - the content is very informative. Please note that some of these videos contain very sensitive subject matter.
- Videos | Childline
- Mental Health videos - CBBC Newsround
- Mental Health and Wellbeing - Teaching Resources - BBC Teach (Secondary Section)
- Young people's resources - Mental Health UK (mental health-uk.org)
- Mental wellbeing audio guides - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Podcasts - Mind
- Dealing with loss and bereavement video : Mentally Healthy Schools
- PSHE KS2 / KS3: Anorexia - Kirsty's story - BBC Teach KS3
- Hope in grief video : Mentally Healthy Schools
- Showing kindness video : Mentally Healthy Schools
Mental Health & Wellbeing Signposting
A collection of links which provide guidance and support for parents/carers and/or young people. All websites listed have access to parent/carer/young people information guides, activities and a wide range of valuable and interactive resources. Please explore these links; they offer valuable support and material. You are not alone.
Advice and Guidance: Local Support
Active Black Country works collaboratively with a range of local partners to inspire and enable people to lead an active lifestyle and to care for their wellbeing, creating a broad and diverse range of opportunities.
Black Country Womens Aid supports survivors of abuse and exploitation.
Dudley Education & Child Psychology Service aims to enhance learning, development and emotional wellbeing of children and young people in the borough.
Dudley Mind aims to improve, promote and enhance a better quality of life for people living across the Black Country affected by poor mental health.
Dudley Safeguarding People Partnership advice for parents, carers or those working with children.
Dudley Virtual School provide resources to help support children and young people and those who support them at this very challenging time.
Let's Get healthy Dudley aims to support you to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Phase Trust believes that every child and young person has value, whether they know it or not.
Reflexions (the Mental Health Support Team), works with local schools, providing low level Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) intervention. The Reflexions Team
Reach Out Dudley A local campaign in Dudley to encourage people to talk about suicide and raise awareness of support services available to them.
Rethink - Black Country Emotional Support Helpline: A freephone service for those in need of support, reassurance and understanding. This telephone based service is open 365 days and no referral is required. Anyone experiencing emotional distress, Carers, friends or family who require support about someone they know: 0808 802 288 / dudleyhelpline@rethink.org
Safe and Sound Dudley's community safety partnership.
The WHAT Centre Dudley provides holistic mental health and wellbeing support to all young people in the Borough.
West Midlands Violence Reduction Unit aims to keep people safe and free of violence in their lives.
Advice & Guidance : National Support
Place2Be is one of the UK’s leading children's mental health charities. There is a wealth of information for parents/carers and young people to access, including information guides, resources and podcasts.
Beat provides support and information about eating disorders.
Childline one of UK’s leading support agencies for children.
Edward's Trust supports children and families facing loss and surviving bereavement.
FRANK provides support and advice on drugs and alcohol.
Kooth provides a safe and secure means of accessing mental health and wellbeing support designed specifically for young people. This is an online service.
Me and My Mind supports young people struggling with unusual experience such as hearing voices.
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
NHS provide mental health and wellbeing advice and guidance.
No Panic is a charity offering support to people who suffer with panic attacks and who are living with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
NSPCC National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children – this website contains a wealth of advice and resources.
Papyrus Confidential support for those at risk of suicide and others who are concerned about them.
Refuge provides help and support to young people affected by domestic violence.
Samaritans is a charity open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk.
Shout 85258 is a free confidential, 24/7 text support service.
Stonewall Information and support for all young lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. This website contains a wealth of information.
The Anna Freud National Centre is a children’s mental health charity providing advice, support for young people and their families.
The Children's Society is a national charity working to transform the hopes and happiness of young people facing abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The Mix Essential support for under 25s.
Winston's Wish supports children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling.
Young Minds is one of the UK's leading charities for children and young people's mental health.
Advice and Guidance: Local and National Support:
CEOP Child Exploitation and Online Protection.
NSPCC Online safety advice.
NSPCC Online parental controls.
INEQE A safeguarding hub with lots of training resources and videos about staying safe online.
Izone Dudley website providing support.
Safe and Sound Stay safe on social media, advice from Dudley’s community safety partnership.
Childnet works directly with children and young people from the ages of 3-18, as well as parents and carers.
Apps and Websites
#1 App for Mindfulness and Meditation. (Available on iOS, Android & Web)
https://www.calm.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkrGQ5u3e6wIVB_hRCh2oVgiEEAAYASAAEgJI4fD_BwE
Breathe2Relax
The relaxation app trains you on the “belly breathing” technique that has proven benefits for your overall mental health. (Available on iOS and Android)
https://onemindpsyberguide.org/apps/breathe2relax/
MeeTwo
An award winning free fully moderated app for teens, which provides peer support, expert help, inbuilt educational and creative resources as well as in app links to UK charities and helplines. MeeTwo allows young people to experiment with what it feels like to open up without drawing attention to themselves while positive feedback and social support builds confidence, increases wellbeing and promotes emotional resilience. (Available on iOS and Android)
Anxiety
SAM is an application to help you understand and manage anxiety. (Available on iOS and Android)
When you log in it gives you different tips to help you relieve stress/anxiety. There are tabs for meditation, deep relaxation, self-hypnosis, and more. (Available on iOS and Android)
https://www.feelstressfree.com/
Anxious Minds is a charity that was set up by sufferers of anxiety and depression, to provide free support to all sufferers of anxiety and depression. (Available on Android)
https://www.anxiousminds.co.uk/
Depression
WellMind is your free NHS mental health and wellbeing app designed to help you with stress, anxiety and depression. The app includes advice, tips and tools to improve your mental health and boost your wellbeing. (Available on iOS and Android)
https://www.wellmindhealth.com/
Happy not perfect
Backed by science, designed for you, Happy Not Perfect is your go-to place for everything you need to look after your mind in a fun new way. (Available on iOS and Android)
Calm Harm provides tasks that help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm. You can add your own tasks too and it’s completely private and password protected. (Available on iOS and Android)
BlueIce
A prescribed evidence-based app to help young people manage their emotions and to reduce urges to self-harm. It includes a mood diary, toolbox of evidence-based techniques to reduce distress and automatic routing to emergency numbers if urges to harm continue. (Available on iOS and Android)
https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/blueice/
Suicide Thoughts
A free, national suicide prevention pocket resource, packed full of useful info to help you stay safe. It offers help and support both to people with thoughts of suicide and to those concerned about someone. (Available on iOS and Android)
https://prevent-suicide.org.uk/find-help-now/stay-alive-app/
Eating Disorders
Recovery Record: RE Eating Disorder Management
This draws on CBT and self-monitoring methods to help manage eating disorders. Users can keep a food journal, make meal plans, and learn coping methods. (Available on iOS and Android)
https://www.recoveryrecord.co.uk/
Rise Up – Eating disorder recovery
Rise Up + Recover is an app for people struggling with food, dieting, exercise and body image. The app is based upon self-monitoring homework, a cornerstone of CBT. (Available on iOS and Android)
Created by a group of bereaved young people working directly with Child Bereavement UK. It has been developed for 11-25 year olds who have been bereaved of someone important to them. It can also be used by friends, teachers, parents and professionals who would like to know how to support bereaved young people. (Available on iOS and Android)
Sleep
Relax Melodies
Combining over 100 relaxation sounds, melodies, binaural beats and white noise, Relax Melodies allows you to create your very own relaxing soundscapes. Play them all night or for a determined period of time, thanks to its built-in timer. (Available on iOS and Android)
2022-2023 Mental Health and Wellbeing Newsletters
Click here for the October newsletter
Click here for the December newsletter
Click here for the February newsletter
2021-2022 Mental Health and Wellbeing Newsletters
Click here for the July newsletter
Click here for the May newsletter