Mental Health and Wellbeing
To read our policy in more detail please click here.
Mental health is a state of well-being 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 her or his community. (World Health Organization)
At The Bromfords School, we aim to promote positive mental health for every member of our staff and student body. We pursue this aim using both universal, whole school and specialised, targeted approaches aimed at vulnerable students. In addition to promoting positive mental health, we aim to recognise and respond to mental ill health. In an average classroom, three children will be suffering from a diagnosable mental health issue. By developing and implementing practical, relevant and effective mental health policies and procedures, we can promote a safe and stable environment for students affected both directly and indirectly by mental ill health. We view this as part of our safeguarding commitment both to students and staff.
The Policy aims to:
- Promote positive mental health in all staff and students
- Alert staff to early warning signs of mental ill health
- Provide support to staff working with young people with mental health issues
- Provide support to students suffering mental ill health and their peers and parents/care.
Teaching about mental health
The skills, knowledge and understanding needed by our students to keep themselves and others physically and mentally healthy and safe are included as part of our PSHE curriculum, assemblies and other opportunities. The specific content of lessons will be determined by the specific needs of the cohort we’re teaching but there will always be an emphasis on enabling students to develop the skills, knowledge, understanding, language and confidence to seek help, as needed, for themselves or others. We will follow the PSHE Association Guidance to ensure that we teach mental health and emotional wellbeing issues in a safe and sensitive manner which helps rather than harms.
Children’s Mental Health Week. 6th February – 12th February 2023
Support for Parents
If you have any worries or concern about your child’s mental health or wellbeing it is important you seek professional advice by making an appointment with your GP.
You can raise your concerns with your child’s Head of Year or the Designated Safeguarding Leads.
For information regarfing mental health services in the basildon and brentwood area, go to: https://basildonandbrentwoodccg.nhs.uk/your-health/mental-health-services
For more information regarding mental health and wellbeing in general we would recommend:
Child and Adolescent Mental Health – Young Minds
An organisation which is promoting good mental health for young people and trying to ensure that help is accessible
Call the Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4pm, free for mobiles and landlines)
https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/
Childline
Childline are an online team of trained councillors and volunteers for children suffering with just about anything, including mental illness. You can call them any hour of the day on their helpline or communicate with them via their messaging service on their website.
Helpline 0800 111
Sane
This helpline is available from 4:30pm to 10:30 every day. Their team consists of mental heal professionals and trained volunteers. They provide confidential emotional support
Helpline 0300 304 7000
Beat
Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that anyone – regardless of age, gender or background – can develop. Beat are a national team that provides help for those with eating disorders. You can contact them from 12-8pm on weekdays and 4-8pm on bank holidays and weekends for free.
Helpline: Adults 0808 801 0677
Under 18’s 0808 801 0711
Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Mind
Mind provides supportive and reliable information to help those experiencing mental health issues. They can be contacted by phone or by email.
Helpline: 02085192122
Email: supporterrelations.org.uk
NELFT
NELFT are an Essex wide community of integrated mental health services for young people and children.
Call: 0300 555 1000
The West Wing
CEME centre
Marsh Way Rainham
RM13 8GQ
Papyrus
PAPYRUS recognises that children and young people are among the higher risk groups in England when it comes to suicide. Their aim is to raise awareness and mitigate the risk of suicide among the under 35’s.
PAPYRUS runs a professionally run helpline called HOPELine UK for young persons at risk and those who are worried about a young suicidal person they may know. Opening hours are 10am-10pm weekdays, 2pm-10pm weekends and Bank Holidays
Helpline: 0800 068 41 41
Text 077862096977
Kooth
An online mental wellbeing community. Free, safe and anonymous support for students ages 11-24. https://www.kooth.com