Mental Health & Wellbeing
At Batchwood School, we believe in promoting positive mental health and wellbeing as a whole school approach.
We are committed to providing a safe and understanding environment to support and promote success and achievements. Our pupils are taught how to manage their academic, emotional, and social lives in a positive way. This gives students the knowledge and capability to take care of themselves and seek support when challenging situations arise. We collectively strive to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health by incorporating a whole school ethos that encourages students to seek support from our staff.
The Zones of Regulation
The Zones of Regulation is the framework we follow to teach our pupils skills in consciously regulating their actions, which in turn leads to increased control and problem-solving abilities. Using a cognitive behavioural approach, the curriculum's activities are designed to help students recognise when they are in different states called zones, with each of the 4 zones represented by a different colour. Students are taught how to use strategies or tools, to stay in a zone or move from one to another, as well as calming techniques, cognitive strategies, and sensory support.
Parent Guide To The Zones of Regulation
The 5 Social Emotional Learning Core Competencies
We provide regular learning opportunities for pupils to develop their social and emotional learning within their form groups across KS3 & KS4. As a school, we value these 5 areas as being an integral element as part of a holistic education provision.
Assessing Mental Health & Wellbeing
We have taken a proactive approach and collaborated with ‘Govox’, an online platform which monitors pupils' mental health. Students’ complete check-ins on a termly basis which provides the school with a wellbeing score. This flags up any concerns and highlights at-risk individuals, particularly those who find it difficult to ask for help. This way we can make sure those struggling with their mental health are given the opportunity to be heard and offered further support.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Ambassadors
Links & Resources
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Kooth - www.kooth.com
– Free, safe, and anonymous online support and counselling for young people.
ThinkNinja - Available for Android and Apple IOS on the app store
– ThinkNinja is a mental health app designed for 10- to 18-year-olds. Using a variety of content and tools, it allows young people to learn about mental health and emotional wellbeing and develop skills they can use to build resilience and stay well..
Anna Freud / On My Mind - www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind
– On My Mind aims to empower young people to make informed choices about their mental health and wellbeing. Includes a youth wellbeing directory of local support services.
Young minds - youngminds.org.uk
– Advice, help and support for young people suffering from mental ill health and their parents. Includes Young Minds Crisis Messenger for those in mental health crisis and a parent’s helpline. Young people aged 10-17 and parents can discuss anxieties (including health, and school) by calling Herts Mind Network’s Young People’s Helpline on 01923 256391.
Royal College of Psychiatrists - www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/parents-and-young-people
– Information for young people, parents, and carers about young people’s mental health. Their aim is to provide information which enables people to make informed decisions about their health. Covers a wide range of areas of mental health difficulties.
Childline - www.childline.org.uk
– Information, advice, and support on a variety of topics from bullying, abuse and feelings to relationships, friendships, and sex - 0800 1111
Hertfordshire Wellbeing Service and Single point of contact for child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) - www.hpftcamhs.nhs.uk
– Hertfordshire wellbeing service offer free, confidential talking therapy and practical support for people aged 16 and over and registered with a Hertfordshire GP service 0300 777 0707
Bereavement
Hope Again - www.hopeagain.org.uk
– A website offering support, advice and information for young people who have been bereaved.
Sudden Bereavement - sudden.org
– A website and helpline offering support for those who have been bereaved suddenly, or when someone has died too soon in their life.
The National Bereavement Partnership - www.nationalbereavementpartnership.org
– The National Bereavement Partnership provides a support helpline, counselling referral and befriending service for all those suffering from anxiety, grief, or mental health issues as a direct or indirect result of the COVID-19 pandemic - 0800 448 0800 (7am -10pm, seven days a week)
Self-Harming and Suicide
Shout - Text SHOUT to 85258
– Free, confidential 24/7 mental health text support.
Alumina - www.selfharm.co.uk
– Alumina is a free, online 7-week course for young people aged 11-19 struggling with self-harm.
NHS Mental Health support at any time of the day or night - Freephone: 0800 6444 101
– We are available 24/7 for Hertfordshire residents who are experiencing a mental health crisis and need some mental health support.
Live chat at: www.hpft.nhs.uk/contact-us, 7am-7pm Monday- Friday. In the case of serious illness or injury, dial 999 for emergency services.
Harmless - harmless.org.uk/
– Harmless provides support and information to people who self-harm, their friends, family and professionals.
Samaritans - 08457 909090
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger - giveusashout.org
– YoungMinds Crisis Messenger provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK for young people experiencing a mental health crisis. Text YM to 85258 for urgent help.
Papyrus - www.papyrus-uk.org
– PAPYRUS provide confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through their website and helpline, HOPELINEUK: 0800 068 4141 10am-10pm weekdays, 2-10pm weekends
Local Food Banks
St Albans & District Foodbank - stalbansdistrict.foodbank.org.uk
– Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), telephone: 01727 613019
Watford Foodbank - www.watfordfoodbank.co.uk
– Open Monday – Saturday, 10am – 1pm. Call 01923 804 435 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information.
Eating disorders
Beat - www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
– Beat offer support, advice, and information on eating disorders.
Drugs and Alcohol
Frank - www.talktofrank.com
– Honest information about drugs.
Alcohol Education Trust - alcoholeducationtrust.org/parent-area
– Parental advice for teaching young people about alcohol and the law. Includes topics such as parties, festivals, and holidays away with friends.
Domestic & Sexual Abuse
Rape Crisis - rapecrisis.org.uk
– Rape Crisis Centres provide frontline specialist, independent and confidential services for women and girls of all ages who’ve experienced any form of sexual violence, at any time in their lives. This includes counselling and support.
NHS Help After Rape and Sexual Assault - www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault
– Advice on options and support available after an assault or rape.
Herts Sunflower - www.hertssunflower.org
– Free and confidential support, advice, and information for anyone affected by domestic abuse - 08088 088 088
Herts Sarc - /www.hertssarc.org
– Free support and practical help to anyone in Hertfordshire who has experienced sexual violence and/or sexual abuse.
LGBTQ
Switchboard - www.switchboard.org.uk
– A charity for LGBTQ people looking for community, support, or information - 0300 300 0630
Stonewall - Stonewall.org.uk
– National LGBTQ+ rights charity
Parental Alcohol Misuse & Guidance
You are not on your own is a booklet aimed at 10–14-year-olds affected by a parent or carer who drinks too much. It is designed to help children and young people have frank discussions with professionals or trusted adults about a parent’s drinking and is intended to address ways to keep them safe from harm.
You are not on your own booklet
Sleep
The National Sleep Helpline - teensleephub.org.uk
– Who do I talk to if I can’t sleep? The National Sleep Helpline can help with your sleep problems - 7pm and 9pm, Sunday to Thursday on 03303 530 541.