You will have read a great deal in the press and media recently about concerns for the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Social, mental and emotional health has been added recently as one of the categories of students with special educational needs and these students are to be included in the Special Needs and Disabilities register.

Staff receive training on dealing with issues in school such as self-harm, anxiety and eating disorders and dedicated pastoral staff offer support to students for whom the issues are impacting on their day to day school life. Students can be issued with Time Out cards which enable them to seek support in lesson time and often some time relaxing and de-stressing can enable them to return to class.

The school and school counsellor work with CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) at Salisbury District Hospital, to refer and support students with more acute problems. Sometimes students can meet their therapists in school. In extreme cases we can enlist the support of the Medical Needs Education Service (MNES) who have a small classroom up at Salisbury District Hospital.

Useful websites and organisations: 

Mind
is a national charity that provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. 

MindEd provides resources to help parents and adults working with young people support wellbeing and identify, understand children and young people with mental health issues.

Anxiety UK As many as 1 in 6 young people will experience an anxiety condition at some point in their lives.  These may include social anxiety and shyness, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder, exam stress, worry or panic attacks. This website contains some useful information and links to help inform parents about anxiety as well as some tips to reduce anxiety. Childline have produced a leaflet with tips to reduce exam stress. Exam stress leaflet

Anxiety Canada A website that explains anxiety and suggests some useful methods to reduce it.

Young Minds is a charity committed to improving the mental health and emotional well-being of all children and young people. They provide information for young people and their parents and carers

Samaritans provide confidential emotional support 24/7 to those experiencing despair, distress or suicidal feelings.

I had a black dog, his name was Depression…A short filmstrip describing depression.

On Your Mind Information to help children and young people in Wiltshire stay mentally healthy and emotionally well.

Kooth is a service from Xenzone, leaders of online counselling.

Explaining Anxiety
Cartoon that describes how some people feel about anxiety and depression

Keeping Calm
Link to relaxation techniques PDF.

Find Get Give 
A Website with useful information and support on all aspects of mental heath

Josh Patterson interview
An interview with MIC star Josh Patterson on Mental health

The NHS choices website offers advice about stress, anxiety and depression and also has a section on improving mental wellbeing, as well as lots of other information sections. 

Parenting teenagers can be likened to a rollercoaster, with many ups and downs along the way.  Family Lives is a charity with over three decades of experience helping parents to deal with the changes that are a constant part of family life.  The website has a lot of useful information and tips as well as forums or support groups. 

is the free helpline and online service for children and young people in the UK. Children and young people can call 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk to talk to a trained counsellor about any problem, or talk to other young people on the message boards.

Relate offers advice, relationship counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and support face-to-face, by phone and through their website. This includes children and young people’s counselling for any young person who is having problems

is the leading childhood bereavement charity in the UK. Established in 1992 as the first childhood bereavement charity in the UK, Winston’s Wish remains dedicated to supporting children after the death of a parent or sibling. Winston’s Wish can offer a range of practical support to children, families, professionals and anyone concerned about a bereaved child.

is a charity that supports individuals or families after the death of someone close.

Most young people will have been bereaved of someone close to them (a parent, sibling, grandparent, friend, teacher) by the time they are 16. Many will cope well with their loss, but all will need the support of those around them.  This website has lots of information about supporting a young person through bereavement.

Women’s Aid is the national domestic violence charity that works to end violence again women and children and supports domestic and sexual violence services across the country. They provide services to support abused women and children such as the free 24hour National Domestic Violence Helpline and The Hide-out a website to help children and young people.

The aim of YAW is to improve the lives of young people in Wiltshire and Swindon and to support them to fulfil their potential and become valued members of their communities.

Provides support to victims of honour based abuse and forced marriages. 0800 5999 247 (Mon to Fri, 9.30am-5pm)

Expert information to help children and young people stay safe online

is for children and young people who have a brother or sister who is disabled, has special educational needs or a serious long-term condition. It is for siblings in the UK aged 6 to 17.

This site is all about helping you to help your friends who might be struggling to cope emotionally

The Children’s Society is a national charity working with children and young people. A range of information can be found on their website including information about County Lines and Criminal Exploitation.