Wellbeing & Mental Health Support
We all go through periods in our life when we feel sad, anxious or stressed. When these feelings start to get in the way of our daily life or impact upon our relationships with the people around we may need some extra support. This can mean we needs some support with our mental health. Knowing how or who to ask for help can be hard, but it’s important that we don’t keep these feeling to ourselves.
What's the meaning of mental health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood
Mental health in childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones, and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems.
Short term stress and worry is a normal part of life and many issues can be experienced as mild or transitory challenges for some children and their families. Others will experience more serious and longer lasting effects. The same experience can have different effects on different children depending on other factors in their life. For example, it is normal for children to feel nervous or under stress around exam times, but other factors can make such stress part of an enduring and persistent mental health problem for some children. When a problem is particularly severe or persistent over time, or when a number of these difficulties are experienced at the same time, children are often described as experiencing mental health problems.
I am an Adult
We all go through periods in our life when we feel sad, anxious or stressed. When these feelings start to get in the way of our daily life or impact upon our relationships with the people around we may need some extra support. This can mean we needs some support with our mental health. Knowing how or who to ask for help can be hard, but it’s important that we don’t keep these feeling to ourselves.
What is mental health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood
- 1 in every 8 people in the world live with a mental disorder
- Mental disorders involve significant disturbances in thinking, emotional regulation, or behaviour
- There are many different types of mental disorder
- Effective prevention and treatment options exist
- Most people do not have access to effective care
A mental disorder is characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behaviour. It is usually associated with distress or impairment in important areas of functioning. Mental disorders may also be referred to as mental health conditions. There are many different types of mental disorders such as, anxiety disorders, depression, post-natal depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
What can affect good mental health?
- · Bereavement.
- · Relationship breakdown
- · Finances (Cost of living)
- · Alcohol and drug misuse
- · Work or lack of it.
- · Children’s behaviour.
- · Home life/ conditions,
- · Personal trauma.
- · There are many other factors that can affect good mental health.
The important things is how you manage your thoughts and feelings during these times.
The Mental health Foundation
The Mental health foundation is a great source of information, follow the link below to find out more information about how you are feeling, what might be causing you to feel this way and how to get support. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics
Who can I talk to or where can I go if I am worried about my mental health?
- School are always here to help support you and your family. If you feel you need to talk to please speak to any member of staff, it is part of Mrs Partington, Mrs Constable, Mrs Platt and Rachel' s role is to be available to talk to you.
- Contact your GP, be open and honest about how you are feeling and any thoughts you might be having. Ask them for help.
Mindsmatter
Are a well-being service offering a range of free psychological therapies to people aged 16 and over in Lancashire. The Mindsmatter team is made up of Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWP), Cognitive Behavioural Therapists (CBT), Counsellors, and our supportive admin staff.
They give people the right information and help to develop skills and gain tools to overcome stress, anxiety and depression is at the heart of what we do. Anyone can make a self-referral by calling 01772 643168 https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/services/psychological-therapies/mindsmatter
The Crisis Team
If you need urgent help as you are in mental health distress, then there is always someone you can call. The Mental Health Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 0800 953 0110. It is staffed by trained mental health professionals who are able to provide assessment and referrals to appropriate services. Ring it if you need to access services or for advice about someone who needs treatment or support. https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/services/service-finder-z/crisis-line
Annafreud
Annafreude National Centre for Children and Families is a great source of information, follow the link below to find out more information about how you and your family can get help and support.
https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/afc-crisis-messenger/
Domestic abuse support
If you need any advice or to find out where to contact if you need support follow the link below. If you or somebody you know is in immediate danger then please call 999.
If you hear an incident and think that a neighbour is in danger, or any children they may have, then we would suggest contacting the police. The police have a responsibility to respond and to undertake a risk assessment where there is domestic abuse taking place.
https://chorley.gov.uk/article/1577/Domestic-abuse-support
How can I continue to have good mental health?
- Things that can help keep children and young people mentally well include:
- being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise
- Having time and freedom to play, indoors and outdoors
- Being part of a family that gets along well most of the time
- Getting out and about, going to work.
- Taking part in local activities/attend a group that interest you.
- Take time for you, do something you enjoy, read a book, and listen to music.
- Mindfulness, there are a number of useful app that can be downloaded onto your phone.
- Meet up with friends and family.
I am a child
How can I help myself have good mental health?
Who can I talk to or where can I go if I am worried about my mental health?
- School are always here to help support you and your family. If you feel you need to talk to please speak to any member of staff, it is part of Mrs Partington, Mrs Constable, Mrs Platt and Rachel' s role is to be available to talk to you.
- I need help now!
You can use our school 'Worry Button' and some will listen and know you need some help.
https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/afc-crisis-messenger/
- Lancashire mind
https://www.lancashiremind.org.uk/pages/154-support-for-children-young-people
- Healthy Young Minds This service aims to improve the resilience, emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people, making it easier for them, their families and the professionals who work with them to access advice, help and support when they need
https://www.healthyyoungmindslsc.co.uk/information/children-and-young-people
- Bereavement
How can I continue to have good mental health?
Things that can help keep children and young people mentally well include:
- being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise
- having time and freedom to play, indoors and outdoors
- being part of a family that gets along well most of the time
- going to a school that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils
- taking part in local activities.
Other factors are also important, including feeling loved, trusted, understood and safe. Children who are optimistic, resilient, have some control over their lives and feel like they belong are more likely to have good mental wellbeing.
What affects a child's mental health?
The balance between the risk and protective factors are most likely to be disrupted when difficult events happen in pupils’ lives. These include:
- loss or separation – resulting from death, parental separation, divorce, hospitalisation, loss of friendships (especially in adolescence), family conflict or breakdown that results in the child having to live elsewhere, being taken into care or adopted, deployment of parents in armed forces families;
- Life changes – such as the birth of a sibling, moving house or changing schools or during transition from primary to secondary school, or secondary school to sixth form;
- Traumatic experiences such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, bullying, violence, accidents or injuries; and
- Other traumatic incidents such as a natural disaster or terrorist attack. Some groups could be susceptible to such incidents, even if not directly affected.
When a children experience a range of emotional and behavioural problems that are outside the normal range for their age, they might be described as experiencing mental health problems or disorders. Mental health professionals have classified these as:
- Emotional disorders, for example phobias, anxiety states and depression;
- conduct disorders, for example stealing, defiance, fire-setting, aggression and anti-social behaviour;
- Hyperkinetic disorders, for example disturbance of activity and attention;
- Developmental disorders, for example delay in acquiring certain skills such as speech, social ability or bladder control, primarily affecting children with autism and those with pervasive developmental disorders;
- Attachment disorders, for example children who are markedly distressed or socially impaired as a result of an extremely abnormal pattern of attachment to parents or major care givers;
- Trauma disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, as a result of traumatic experiences or persistent periods of abuse and neglect; and other mental health problems including eating disorders, habit disorders, somatic disorders; and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and manic depressive disorder.
How important is child mental health?
Good mental health helps them develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults. Things that can help keep children and young people mentally well include: being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.
Why is it important to talk about children's mental health?
Honest communication. Talking to your child honestly about your mental health can reduce any fear or confusion they may be feeling, and help them understand your actions and behaviour.
How do you know if your child has/ I have mental health issues?
Warning signs that your child may have a mental health disorder include:
- Extremely high and low moods.
- Excessive fear, worry, or anxiety (fearful, withdrawn, low self-esteem).
- Social withdrawal. Withdrawing from or avoiding social interactions.
- Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits.
- Emotional state Long-lasting sadness or irritability,
- Behaviour, Out-of-control behaviour that can be harmful, (aggressive or oppositional; habitual body rocking)
- Interpersonal behaviours (indiscriminate contact or affection seeking, overfriendliness or excessive clinginess; demonstrating excessively 'good' behaviour to prevent disapproval; failing to seek or accept appropriate comfort or affection from an appropriate person when significantly distressed; coercive controlling behaviour; or lack of ability to understand and recognise emotions).
- Persistent sadness — two or more weeks.
- Hurting oneself or talking about hurting oneself.
- Talking about death or suicide.
- Outbursts or extreme irritability.
What is good mental health?
Good mental health is the ability to learn, the ability to feel, express and manage a range of positive and negative emotions, the ability to form and maintain good relationships with others.
Please be aware that these are not resources provided by All Saints C of E Primary School. These are external resources from a wide range of agencies so please be mindful when accessing them.
How can I help my child have good mental health?
- Involving my child about how everyone can help https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/shared-decision-making/
- Coronavirus support and advice.
https://www.annafreud.org/coronavirus-support/support-for-parents-and-carers/
- Talking about mental health (Primary School age)
- https://www.annafreud.org/schools-and-colleges/resources/advice-for-parents-and-carers-talking-mental-health-with-young-people-at-primary-school/
- Talking about mental health (Secondary School age and college)
- Helping children and young people to manage anxiety
- https://www.annafreud.org/schools-and-colleges/resources/helping-children-and-young-people-to-manage-anxiety/
- Helping Early Years children understand there feelings https://www.annafreud.org/early-years/early-years-in-mind/common-difficulties/
Who can I talk to or go to for help if I feel my child’s mental health is low?
- School are always here to help support you and your family. Please contact us if you feel you need someone to talk to.
I need help now!
The AFC Crisis Messenger text service is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. The service is staffed by trained volunteers who will work with you to take your next steps towards feeling better. We can help with issues such as anxiety, worry, panic attacks, bullying and depression and are here to talk at any time of day or night.
https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/afc-crisis-messenger/
- Talking about mental health Advice for Parents and carers: talking about mental health with young people at Primary School.
- Action for Children https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/?_ga=2.1076729.954422312.1641485288-1781814263.1641388789&_gac=1.205267364.1641388790.EAIaIQobChMI5vm66dqa9QIVTwOLCh2dugQGEAAYASAAEgJTTfD_BwE
- Lancashire Mind
https://www.lancashiremind.org.uk/pages/153-support-for-parents-carers-of-young-people
- Healthy Young Minds This service aims to improve the resilience, emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people, making it easier for them, their families and the professionals who work with them to access advice, help and support when they need it.
https://www.healthyyoungmindslsc.co.uk/information/family-and-carers
Help your child to continue to have good mental health
- Be there to listen
Ask the children and young people you look after how they are doing regularly so they get used to speaking about their feelings. - Stay involved in their life
Show interest in their life and the things that are important to them. - Support positive routines
Be a positive role model and support positive behaviours including regular bedtime routines, healthy eating and getting active. - Encourage their interests
Being active, creative, learning things and being a part of a team are all good for mental health. Support children and young people to explore their interests. - Take what they say seriously
Help the children and young people you look after feel valued in what they say and help them work through difficult emotions.
Ways to feel better
Mindfulness Walk https://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/uploads/Files/PDFs/Resilience%20Activities/Mindful%20walk.pdff
Coping Toolbox https://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/uploads/Files/PDFs/Resilience%20Activities/Coping%20Toolbox.pdff
Worry Jar
https://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/uploads/Files/PDFs/Resilience%20Activities/Worry%20Jar.pdf
Distraction Activities
Relaxation activities
https://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/uploads/images/What%20we%20do/Relaxation%20Activities.pdf
Random acts of kindness
Various topics of activities
https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/activities/
Mental health support resources in Lancashire and South Cumbria
11 plus support
The Butterfly and Phoenix Project - This team of trained counsellors support young people aged 11 to 18 years old to resolve emotional difficulties through the delivery of counselling and group workshops.
https://www.butterflyandphoenix.org/
Tel : 03450 138208