wgsoffice@sflt.org.uk
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Mental Health

Walderslade Wellbeing Newsletter

Mental and Emotional Health at Walderslade Girls’ School

We take Mental and Emotional Health very seriously here at Walderslade Girls’ School. We consider it part of our ‘hidden curriculum’ to make every student feel listened to and valued and to promote positive emotional health and wellbeing. We are constantly reviewing and prioritising our approach to Mental Health, and it is now a regular part of our Professional Development (staff training). We have a newly appointed Mental Health Lead (Ms Neave) who is working on a Strategic Plan to improve our approach to Mental Health, with the help of the National College of Education and overseen by our Trust Vulnerability Lead.

The Mental Health Lead, Ms Neave, works alongside the pastoral, SEN and safeguarding team to ensure our most vulnerable students are well looked after. Mental Health is also represented in our Senior Leadership Team and features heavily on our School Improvement Plan.

We are very lucky to be working alongside the Medway Emotional Support Team, from the NHS, who are with us (in school) every Tuesday. This team of Educational Mental Health Practitioners work one-to-one with students in need of Emotional Support but also keep us informed on best ways to look after the Mental Health of all of our students.

Some other Mental Health initiatives in place:

A relevant and regularly reviewed approach to Form Times, PSHE and MSC activities.
A staff wellbeing focus.
An open door policy for staff and students.
Wellbeing assemblies.
Regular Mental Health workshops (working on anxiety, low mood and exam stress etc).
Parental Workshops (see links on this section of the website).
One-to-one with the Educational Mental Health practitioners.
One-to-one sessions with our school counsellor.
Workshops with our Family Liaison Officer.

Mental Health continues to grow at Walderslade Girls’ School – we have lots of things in the pipeline. So watch this space.

And, please remember, if your child/young person is struggling with low mood or emotional health – you can always reach out to their form tutor for help or contact Ms Neave on lneave@sflt.org.uk

Additional Support – Website and Mobile Phone Apps:

Young Minds	www.youngminds.org.uk	Information and advice for young people on mental health. Call to parents helpline: 08088 025 544 (Monday – Friday 09.30am – 4pm free for mobiles and landlines).
Togetherall	https://togetherall.com/en-gb/com	is for young people aged 16+, online support programmes and support network.
MiLife	www.milife.org.uk	website by young people to explore mental health.
Childline		a confidential telephone support service for children and young people – free to phone on: 0800 1111
WYSA App	https://www.wysa.io	WYAS is a life coach that helps you to move forwards and to build emotional resilience.
Kooth	http://www.kooth.com	online counselling for children and young people.
Mind Fresh	http://mindfresh.nelft.nhs.uk	Gives local support services in your area.
Mood Tools	www.moodtools.org	app that helps combat depression with 6 evidence-based tools.
The Mix	www.themix.org.uk	Freephone 08088 084 994. Mental health advice and support for anyone under 25.