Primary School

Social, Emotional, Mental Health

Children and young people may experience a wide range of social and emotional difficulties which manifest themselves in many ways. These may include becoming withdrawn or isolated, as well as displaying challenging, disruptive or disturbing behaviour. These behaviours may reflect underlying mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression, self-harming, substance misuse, eating disorders or physical symptoms that are medically unexplained. Other children and young people may have disorders such as attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder or attachment disorder.

Schools and colleges should have clear processes to support children and young people, including how they will manage the effect of any disruptive behaviour so it does not adversely affect other pupils. The Department for Education publishes guidance on managing pupils’ mental health and behaviour difficulties in schools – see the References section under Chapter 6 for a link.

Key Staff - Social Emotional and Mental Health

Philippa Neill Primary Pastoral Lead

Thomas Pridding Primary Thrive Practitioner

Fatema Miah Primary Thrive Practitioner

Susan Pardoe Pupil Support Lead

Tim Halliwell Pupil Support and Safeguarding Lead

Kate Snow Deputy Inclusion Leader / SENCo (focus on KS3 and Designated Teacher of CLA and Post-CLA)

Wellbeing

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. Some people call mental health ‘emotional health’ or ‘well-being’ and it’s just as important as good physical health. Everybody has it and we need to take care of it. Mental health is everyone’s business. Good mental health means being generally able to think, feel and react in the ways that you need and want to live your life. However, we all have times when we feel down, stressed or anxious. Most of the time those feelings pass, but for 1 in 4 people they develop into something more serious. What do early signs of a Mental Health problem look like?

Eating or sleeping too much or too little
Pulling away from people and usual activities
Feeling numb or like nothing matters
Having unexplained aches and pains
Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
Having intrusive thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
Thinking of harming yourself or others

Where can I get help if I think I, or one of my friends, have a Mental Health problem? In the first instance you can ask to see Mrs Melville, Head of Year 13. She will listen to your concerns and then advise you on where to get help. She may refer you to Mrs Pardoe who is the Mental Health Lead at Roundhay School or the ARM Cluster. Alternatively you can contact the following organisations for help and advice either by phone or email –

Resources

Childline

Whatever your worry we can help you. Call Childline for help and advice! Tel: 0800 1111

Childline

Samaritans

If you need someone to talk to, we listen. We won’t judge or tell you what to do. Call us any time, day or night. Whatever you’re going through, you can call us any time, from any phone for FREE. Call 116 123

Samaritans

Mindmate

Online support for young people and their parents and carers.

Mindmate

The Market Place

Our services are free, confidential and available for 11-25 year olds in Leeds. We offer a range of services including one to one support, counselling, group-work and our drop-in.

The Market Place

Young Minds

Useful information for young people and their parents and carers.

Young Minds

Give Us A Shout

24/7 Anonymous text support for when you feel you can’t cope. Text us today for support in a crisis. Text Shout to 85258

Give Us A Shout

Teen Connect (11 – 18yr Olds)

Teen Connect is a helpline for 13-18 year-olds living in the Leeds area. They offer up to an hour of support either by phone or online chat. The helpline is open 6pm-2am every night.

Teen Connect

Kooth

Kooth is a web based confidential support service available to young people. Kooth provides a safe and secure means of accessing mental health and wellbeing support designed specifically for young people.

Kooth

There are also some useful Mobile Phone Apps

Smiling Mind

A meditation program developed by psychologists and educators to help bring mindfulness into your life.

Stop Breathe Think

Check in with how you’re feeling, and try short activities tuned to your emotions.

Headspace

A meditation app that acts as a personal guide to health and happiness.

Chill Panda

Chill Panda helps children better understand their stress and shows them ways to feel better using breathing techniques, yoga, exercise and calming games.

Calm Harm

Calm Harm is an app designed to help people resist or manage the urge to self-harm. It’s private and password protected.

Catch It

Learn how to manage feelings like anxiety and depression with Catch It. The app will teach you how to look at problems in a different way, turn negative thoughts into positive ones and improve your mental wellbeing.

My Positive Self

Take control of your thoughts, feelings and behaviour with the My Possible Self mental health app. Use the simple learning modules to manage fear, anxiety and stress and tackle unhelpful thinking. Record your experiences and track symptoms to better understand your mental health.

Stress and Anxiety Companion

Stress & Anxiety Companion helps you handle stress and anxiety on-the-go. Using breathing exercises, relaxing music and games designed to calm the mind, the app helps you change negative thoughts to help you better cope with life’s ups and downs