Mental and Physical Health Support
Physical Health
To access our school nursing team please contact your son’s Head of House.
We pledge that support will be given for:
- healthy eating
- healthy lifestyles
- smoking
To read more about our healthy lifestyles pledge please click here.
Also use the following to help lead a healthier lifestyle:
Healthy and Affordable Recipes Booklet A5
Ideas For Staying Active and Eating Healthily At Home Booklet
C4L Sunderland Active Living at Home Booklet
Mental Health
On 15th November 2022 we achieved the Silver Mental Health Charter Mark from Sunderland City Council.
Our Mental Health Leads in school are:
Mrs Gemma Hogg – Senior Assistant Headteacher
Mrs Christine Lynch – Mental Health Governor
Looking after our children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing is extremely important.
We have expanded our offer over the last academic year to support pupils coming out of the pandemic. We use the ‘thrive model’ to support our young people:
Thriving
Those whose current need is support to maintain mental wellbeing through effective prevention and promotion strategies.
- PDE Lessons.
- Assembly
- Examen.
- Day to day support from staff including Head of House.
- Taking part in enrichment in and out of school.
- Taking part in school one voice groups, Impact, Wellbeing and Anti-bullying.
- Education about mental wellbeing.
Getting Advice
Those who need advice and signposting.
- Wellbeing Group advice and support.
- Awareness of signs and symptoms of poor mental health.
- Informal conversations about thoughts, emotions and feelings with staff including Head of House.
- Information about local services available. From friends, family, staff including Head of House. See below for signposting links.
- Using support apps such as Headspace or Calm.
- Access to Kooth.
Getting Help
Those who need focus goals-based input.
- Intervention Groups such as Washington MINDs LGBT group, Brook.
- Counselling. At St Aidan’s we have 12 sessions a week available with Washington MIND and our Trust Counsellors.
- Emotional and resilience nurse. At St Aidan’s we have 4 sessions a week available with our school emotional and resilience nurse.
- Peer Mentoring through Anna Freud.
- Taking part in directed school enrichment such as Art Therapy or Friends Club.
Getting More Help
Those who need more extensive and specialist goals-based input.
- Intervention Groups such as Washington MINDs LGBT group, Brook.
- Counselling. At St Aidan’s we have 12 sessions a week available with Washington MIND and our Trust Counsellors.
- Emotional and resilience nurse. At St Aidan’s we have 4 sessions a week available with our school emotional and resilience nurse.
- CAMHs.
- Educational Psychologist.
- Access to the virtual school for Cared for Children.
Getting Risk Support
Those who have not benefitted from or unable to use help, but are at such a risk that they are still in contact with services.
- CYPS.
- Specialist support. For example, for eating disorders, self-harm, suicide, bereavement.
- Clinical Psychologist.
We have a number of staff trained as Mental Health First Aiders.
Mental Health First Aid Poster
Signposting for Pupils
Wellbeing information – Wellbeinginfo.org
Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Community CAMHS) – 0191 2831656
Children and young People’s Service (CYPS) – 0191 5665500
Intensive Community Treatment Service (ICTS) – Crisis – 08006522867
Signposting for Parents
Creative booklet – Washington MIND
Support Mental Health – Support for Parents
Washington MIND – Click here – Washington Mind | Seeing people not problems
Anna Freud – Click here – Parents and carers (annafreud.org)
https://www.mindandsoulfoundation.org/
Books that are recommended for parent’s are listed below:
Helping You Child With Fears and Worries by Cathy Creswell and Lucy Willets
The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) by Philippa Perry
Hey Warrior by Karen Young
Helpline Numbers
Mind – 0191 417 8043 – For 11+
The Samaritans – Call for free on 116123
CALM – 0800 585858
Silverline – 0800 4708090 – for OAPs.
Papyrus – 0800 0684141
Childline – 0800 1111
Text Shout to 85258
The Young Minds Crisis messenger text service provides free, 24/7 crisis support access across the UK. If you are a young person experiencing a mental health crisis and need support, you can text YM to 85258.
Not all children and young people respond in the same way when struggling with their mental health.
Some common changes to watch for include;
- Excessive crying or irritation in younger children
- Returning to behaviours they have outgrown (for example, requiring more reassurance than normal)
- Excessive worry or sadness
- Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
- Irritability and “acting out” behaviours in teens
- Poor school performance or avoiding school
- Difficulty with attention and concentration
- Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past
- Unexplained headaches or body pain
- Use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
There are many things you can do to support your child.
- Don’t avoid the ‘scary topic’ but engage in a way that is appropriate for them.
- Reassure your child or teen that they are safe. Let them know it is ok if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
- Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something that is going on in the world that they do not understand. We need to minimise this negative impact it has on our children and explain the facts to them.
- Try to keep up with regular routines.
- Be a role model. Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Connect with your friends and family members.
- Involving our family and children in our plans for good health is essential.
- Unlimited free online safety guides for your teachers and parents via our website: www.nationalonlinesafety.com/guides
If you are concerned about your son’s mental health. If you feel like your son needs further support please contact your sons Head of House by email, they will call to discuss the most appropriate help for him. We have access to an emotional health and resilience nurse and 1:1 counselling through Washington MIND and BCCET.
Bereavement support:
RAINBOWS BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GB
Rainbows bereavement support Great Britain is a well respected national charity having a proven, positive impact on the lives of children, young people and adults grieving a significant and often devastating loss in their lives.
CHILDHOOD BEREAVEMENT NETWORK
The Childhood Bereavement Network is a national, multi-professional federation of organisations and individuals working with bereaved children and young people
www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk
CRUSE – BEREAVEMENT CARE
Cruse can offer referrals to Cruse branches and other bereavement and counselling services throughout the UK. It also offers a telephone counselling service for those who are bereaved and those who care for bereaved people.
GRIEF ENCOUNTER
Grief Encounter offers guidance and practical support for parents and carers, schools and professionals.
CHILD BEREAVEMENT UK
A range of support including on-line information for young people who’ve lost someone close
WINSTON’S WISH
Winston’s Wish offers a range of help and resources for bereaved children and their families together with guidance, support and information for anyone caring for a bereaved child
Prayers:
Our Father:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Eternal Rest:
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon him/her.
May s/he rest in peace.
Amen
Prayer for grief:
We hold before God all those who are sad because someone they loved has died
We hold before God all those who are sad because someone they knew has died
We hold before God each one of us that we may support each other in the days to come.
We hold before God Name who has died. May s/he rest in peace.
Amen.
Prayer for support:
Lord, we look up to you and receive from you
Your blessing
Your strength
Your most holy love.
In the darkest moments of our lives,
Let us remember that you are the light
You are the hope
You are the courage we need.
Lord God, help us find comfort in our sadness,
Certainty in our doubt
And the courage to live.
Make our faith strong
Through Christ our Lord,
Amen
