Mental Health - Student Ambassadors Blog
Mental health blog by Student Ambassadors
Info on social media
Below we have included a link to a pdf about the summary of each social media site and some information on making sure your data isn’t shared. It includes changing ad settings, instructions on turning accounts to private and a few other things you may wish to know.
Below is also a link to a couple of tips if you’d like to brush up on your social media safety.
https://staysafeonline.org/stay-safe-online/securing-key-accounts-devices/social-media/
Off the record - https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/
Off the record is an organisation based in Bristol that helps young people with their mental health. Sections on their site include:
Worries about corona virus
Resources for people specifically worries about corona. Toward the bottom there are links distractions, mindfulness tips and coping mechanisms.
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/covid/
Anxiety
resources for Anxiety include an explanation of what anxiety is and how it may affect you. It then directs you to yoga videos, self-help workshops about how to reduce and mange anxiety, nature works – a project to get you outside to reduce your anxiety, counselling and a number of other workshops and therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples).
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/anxiety/
Low moods and depression
resources for low moods and depression include an explanation of what depression/low moods are and how it may affect you. It then directs you to self-help workshops about how to reduce and manage your mood, nature works – a project to get you outside to reduce your sadness, counselling and a number of other workshops and therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples).
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/depression/
Anger
resources for coping with strong feelings of anger include an explanation of what angry moods are and how it may affect you. It then directs you to self-help workshops about how to reduce and manage your mood, nature works – a project to get you outside to reduce your anger, counselling, a number of other workshops and therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples), corner man – a 12-week group combining boxing and chatting, hARMED – a workshop for anyone using self-harm as a coping strategy and project ZAZI – a variety of groups and one to one support on mental health, race, ethnicity and culture.
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/anger/
Self-harm
resources for coping with self-harming include an explanation of what harmful moods are and how it may affect you. It then directs you to self-help workshops about how to reduce and manage your mood, nature works – a project to get you outside to reduce your urge to self-harm, counselling, a number of other workshops and therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples), corner man – a 12-week group combining boxing and chatting and hARMED – a workshop for anyone using self-harm as a coping strategy.
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/self-harm/
Obsessive and compulsive feelings
resources for coping with obsessive and compulsive feelings include an explanation of what obsessive and compulsive moods are and how it may affect you. It then directs you to self-help workshops about how to reduce and manage your mood, nature works – a project to get you outside to reduce your obsessive and compulsive feelings, counselling, a number of other workshops and therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples) and hARMED – a workshop for anyone using self-harm as a coping strategy.
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/obsessions-compulsions/
Body image and low self esteem
resources for struggling with Body image include an explanation of struggling with body image is and how it may affect you. It then directs you to self-help workshops about how to reduce and manage your mood, Shameless – a six-week group for anyone who feels they’re impacted by body image and low self-esteem and counselling, a number of other workshops and therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples)
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/body-image/
Sexuality and gender
resources for struggling with sexuality and gender include an explanation of what being queer means and what being trans means. It then directs you to Shameless – a six-week group for anyone who feels they’re impacted by body image and low self-esteem, counselling, a number of other workshops, therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples) and freedom – a gender and sexuality youth group with 1 on 1 support.
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/sexuality-gender/
Family and relationships
resources for struggling with Family and relationships include an explanation of what relationships should be and when to get help. It then directs you to counselling, a number of other workshops, therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples), freedom – a gender and sexuality youth group with 1 on 1 support, self-help workshops about how to reduce and manage your mood and a book club.
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/family-and-relationships/
Cultural identity
resources for struggling with cultural identity include an explanation of what relationships should be and when to get help. It then directs you to counselling, a number of other workshops, therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples), Shameless – a six-week group for anyone who feels they’re impacted by body image and low self-esteem and counselling, project ZAZI – a variety of groups and one to one support on mental health, race, ethnicity and culture and corner man – a 12 week group combining boxing and chatting.
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/ethnicity-culture/
Bullying
I am being bullied – what can I do?
Tell someone that you can trust. Make sure you share your worries with a parent, friend, your tutor, teacher or relative. The best way to protect yourself from being bullied is to tell someone so that you can get some help.
Childline have message boards for a variation of things that you may be experiencing bullying for, including discrimination. They also offer places for you to help rebuild your self-esteem.
Message boards: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/types-bullying/
Scroll to the bottom to find some or search ChildLine if there’s any resources you can’t find
Games: https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/games/
If you need to talk to someone, The counsellors at ChildLine are there to talk. These run from 9am to 10:30 pm. There may be a wait. If you need to talk immediately calling 0800 1111 is faster. The link to 1-2-1 counselling is below.
https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/
For further support contact a trusted teacher or the student ambassadors.
This is a link to the school website where you can see the School Anti-Bullying Guide; https://www.thecastleschool.org.uk/Curriculum/British-Values-and-SMSC/
Home environment concerns
Domestic Abuse Concerns -
Next Link South Glos domestic abuse telephone help lines are open 8:30am – 5:30pm Monday to Friday and 9:30am – 1:00pm on Saturday 0800 4700 280
Parents worried about exploitation – https://paceuk.info/or for confidential help and advice, call Pace on 0113 240 5226
CHILDLINE – 0800 1111 or visit their website www.childline.org.uk
Food banks links for families living in South Glos - https://oneyou.southglos.gov.uk/eat-well/food-poverty-support/
Food banks links for families living in Bristol - https://www.trusselltrust.org/ https://eastbristol.foodbank.org.uk/
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) – 0808 800 5000 https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Injuries, accidents and mental health related accidents
If you feel that a child is in immediate danger then you must call the police on 999.
Access and Response Team – 01454 86 6000 (during working hours) Emergency duty team – 01454 615165 (out of hours) First Response (for students and families living in Bristol) -0117 9036444 Police – 101 for non-urgent issues, 999 if urgent and an immediate response is needed
Mental health resources
Crisis helpline - https://www.giveusashout.org/ text ‘shout’ to 852588 for 24/7 crisis text support
Childline – offer 1-2-1 counseling and free of charge and confidential. Available between 9am and 10:30 pm. (reduced hours due to corona virus). There you can find message boards. You can also call ChildLine for free and you should get through immediately. They have games to help with self esteem and confidence and much more along with advice on a huge range of topics. Find the link below:
Counselling: https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/
Info and advice: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/
The calm zone – for anxiety and stress - https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/
Kooth is a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited digital mental health support service. It gives children and young people easy access to an online community of peers and a team of experienced counsellors. Access is free of the typical barriers to support. Available for once-a-week sessions between 12pm (noon) -10pm on week days and 6pm-10pm on weekends every day of the year. Kooth can be accessed by young people here: https://www.kooth.com/
MeeToo - An app to talk with other young people anonymously about anything you’d like.
Mental health support - CAMHS (if young person is currently under CAMHS); 01454 862431 or if you are concerned that you are not able to keep your child safe. If they are able to keep themselves safe then take them to the Accident & Emergency department at Bristol Children hospital or call for an ambulance.
Samaritans – to talk to anyone who isn't in a good place - 116 123
Mental health apps approved by NHS - https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/category/mental-health/
Young Minds - Helpline for parents and young people - If there are concerns about a young person's mental health during this difficult time, you can contact the Young Minds Helplines.
Parents Helpline - If you are a parent who needs advice about your child’s mental health you can contact the Parents Helpline directly on 0808 802 between 9:30am-4pm
Young Minds Crisis Messenger - If you are a young person experiencing a mental health crisis you can text YM to 85258 for free 24/7 support. The Young Minds website is here: https://youngminds.org.uk/
Mind you - Please visit http://sites.southglos.gov.uk/mind-you/coronavirus-covid-19-useful-information. Alternatively, if you need help and support or are worried about someone, advice is also available via Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership’s 24-hour helpline, please call 0300 3031320.
Sleep tips
The Good Sleep Guide Getting a good night’s sleep is as important as a balanced diet and regular exercise. Poor sleep can affect your emotional wellbeing, physical health and can affect your concentration and performance at school. Teenagers should aim for at least 9 hours sleep per night.
Make sure your bedroom is comfortable (not too hot, cold, noisy or bright).
Establish a bed time routine. This could include having a bath and a warm drink.
- Go to bed at the same time each night.
- Try to wake up and get up at the same time each day even if you have had a poor night’s sleep.
- Avoid napping during the day and no napping after 4pm. Try to use your bed for sleeping only and only sleeping in your bed (not on the sofa).
- If possible, use a table, desk, beanbag or comfy chair for other activities such as homework, revising, reading, or using your laptop or mobile phone. Get off your mobile phone, TV and computer at least one hour before bedtime and leave them outside your bedroom if you can.
- Get an alarm clock so you don’t have to rely on your mobile phone to wake you up.
- Avoid eating a heavy meal late at night BUT…
Don’t go to bed hungry. Have a milky drink or non-sugary snack such as a banana. - Avoid tea, coffee and fizzy drinks – basically anything with caffeine in it. Try not to drink any caffeine after lunch.
- Exercise is good but not just before bedtime. Try exercising earlier in the day.
- Don’t take your problems to bed. Try and have a time before bed time to go through problems. Or write them down so you can sort them out the next day.
Bereavement
A list of organisations that provide help:
Children’s understanding of death:
A sheet with tasks to help you cope with bereavement:
https://www.thecastleschool.org.uk/docs/safeguarding/bereavement/Grief-support-for-self.pdf
A sheet teaching you how to respond to a friend that’s grieving:
https://www.thecastleschool.org.uk/docs/safeguarding/bereavement/Grief-support-from-friend.pdf
A sheet telling your parent or career how you want to cope with this and how they should interact with you:
ideas of how to remember someone who’s died:
Supporting a bereaved child:
Young Carers
you’re under eighteen years old and look after another person at home, you are a young carer. If so, you’re not alone. It’s estimated there are 50,000 young carers in the UK. You may be looking after a parent or another relative, like a sister or brother.
You may be looking after someone because:
- they’re disabled
- they have a long-term illness
- they misuse drugs or alcohol
- or because someone else is finding it hard to cope with being a parent or carer
As a young carer you may:
- find that you are not able to go out with your friends
- be confused or angry about the situation at home
- be having difficulties at school or college because of your responsibilities at home
- feel alone and unable to talk to anyone about your situation
- need help with the caring
We can help you with any of the above, you only have to ask, we think you’re fantastic.
Resource for young careers including mentoring and ways to get involved in other activities: https://youngcarersresource.org/what-we-do/mentoring/
You can speak to Miss Wilson by popping-in to see her in the Art classrooms at any time for a chat, to off-load, or to let us tell you how wonderful we think you are. You could also email on Emma.Wilson@cset.co.uk
Most of us have routines in our lives and if you are a young career, you have routines and responsibilities which may affect school and home life. You may not think anyone else understands.
We think you are wonderful if you are caring for a family member, in fact, we think you are fantastic! If you are worried about homework or coursework or going on a trip and will be worried about someone from home, please talk to us. We know and understand what it takes to be a young career and want to support you to achieve your potential. We want you to feel able to talk to someone to either release some feelings of worry or stress, or to tell us you are okay. We do not want to come to you if you want to be left alone so you can e-mail us if you want some advice.
PLEASE TALK TO AN ADULT YOU TRUST IN SCHOOL IF YOU WANT HELP. YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND IF YOU CARE, WE CARE!
Mental health resources within school
Other mental health resources that the school can offer includes being able to meet with the school nurse, or directly refer you to cahms if they feel it is necessary, and they also offer meetings with staff from the student centre along with other teachers, usually by asking your tutor to set up a meeting. But you can also email a specific teacher and ask to talk. Teachers can keep things confidential within the school, if asked to, providing it isn’t of danger to anyone. The conversations legally have to be passed to Mrs Palmer as she is Head of Safeguarding, however, they do not have to be passed on to a parent. Teachers may also pass the information home if the meetings you are having with them have not seemed to help you overly, and then they will ask to contact a parent to take further steps to help.