Student Support

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Information for parents and carers - mental health support

Mental health and wellbeing: information for parents and carers

South Wilts Grammar School takes the emotional health and wellbeing of every child seriously. We believe that the school can help pupils build resilience and support them to be mentally healthy. Our LIVE WELL mental health and wellbeing strategy sets out how we do this.

We all have ups and downs in life but in childhood it can be particularly hard to cope with negative feelings and worries that arise when things are hard or frightening. There may be times when your child is unhappy or struggling emotionally. You may notice that they seem low or worried or that their behaviour changes. We may notice that they seem withdrawn or upset at school.

If you are worried about your child’s mental health then you are not alone. Many parents and carers have similar worries and stresses. There is good support available from local and national organisations. The sooner you seek help the better for your child and you.

The leaflet: Mental health problems in children and young people: guidance for parents and carers provides some useful tips for helping your child plus links to local and national services.

Local services for children & young people

The School

Please talk to us about your concerns, so that we can work together to help your child feel better.

You can talk to your child’s Head of Year, the SENDCo or our Mental Health Lead. The details of our pastoral team can be found on the Pastoral Staff page.

Your GP

A GP can check any physical symptoms linked to your child’s health and talk with you about their emotional well-being making a referral to a specialist service if necessary.

The School Nurse

Parents/carers can contact the Wiltshire School Nurse Service for advice and support on a range of health issues.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)

A free NHS service that assesses and treats 0-18-year olds with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.

Kooth

Children and young people aged 11 and over are also able to access support themselves from B&NES Kooth. This provides links to advice as well as online counselling.

Off the Record

Counselling service for young people aged 11 and over

Websites that offer information and advice

The following organisations provide reliable information and advice to help parent/carers to support their child when experiencing emotional difficulties:

Young Minds: – Help for Parents

Information about all aspects of child mental health, including a Parent Helpline 0800 802 5544

You’re Never too Young to Talk Mental Health

Leaflet for parent/carers of primary aged children

Taking Mental Health with Young People at Secondary School:

Advice for parents and carers of primary aged young people

Self-Care – Top Tips for Young Parents and Carers

Advice for taking care of your own and child’s wellbeing

Childline

Lots of information and tips for children of all ages about feelings and difficult situations

Minded for Families

Free learning resource about mental health for parents and carers

Happy Maps

Lots of information about health topics including mental health, organised under different age groups i.e under 5’s primary age, secondary age, young adults

Charlie Waller Trust

Leaflets on a range of topics to support your family’s mental health

Parentzone

Working to support good parenting in the digital age.

Looking after your own mental health

In order to support your child, you need to stay strong and well yourself. It isn’t easy being a parent or carer especially when you are experiencing problems of your own such as relationship difficulties, money worries, problems with work. Often it helps to talk to someone, so don’t be scared about doing this, with friends, family, your GP or a support service. The following organisations can also offer information and advice to help you.

Wiltshire emergency duty service

The Emergency Duty Service work outside of normal office hours to provide help with personal or family problems that reach crisis point.

24/7 Wiltshire Mental Health Support Service

Mental Health 24/7 Response Line dedicated to patients, families and carers who may be worried about their own or someone else’s mental health.

Wiltshire Well-Being

Directory and database of groups, activities and courses in the Wiltshire community that can support adult wellbeing.

Wiltshire Mind

We are an independent charity supporting people in Wiltshire who are experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress. Our services are accessible for everybody in our community.

Tel: 01225 706532

Samaritans

Tel: free confidential listening service 116 123

NHS Choices: moodzone

Helps manage stress, anxiety, depression. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing

CALM Campaign against living miserably

Information and help around mental health particularly focussing on men

Agencies and services to support parents and carers in vulnerable situations

Adult support in Wiltshire

Links to a range of services supporting physical, social and emotional needs. Includes Ofsted registered childcare, parenting support, groups, clubs and events. Signposts to organisations, services, support, activities and groups for children and young people aged 0-25 with SEND additional needs

Citizens Advice Wiltshire

Independent charity that provides free, impartial advice and information on a range of issues including housing, employment and debt.