Emotional Health and Wellbeing
Emotional wellbeing is just as important as students’ physical health.
Adolescence is a crucial period for developing the social and emotional habits that are important for mental wellbeing. These include:
- adopting healthy sleeping patterns
- exercising regularly
- developing coping, problem-solving and interpersonal skills
- learning to manage emotions
It is common for adolescents to feel a range of emotions, both positive and negative. However, if negative thoughts and feelings start to affect their daily life and stop them doing the things they enjoy, or their ability to feel OK, they are likely to need support with their mental health.
Knowing what steps we can take to support our mental wellbeing can help us feel better, sleep better and have better relationships with the people around us.
If you are worried about either your own emotional health and wellbeing or that of somebody else, please speak to a member of staff at school. There are also a number of links below which can offer advice and support for young people and/or their parents/carers.
Online Counselling and Support for Young People
Kooth
Free online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop. You can get help with the following: Relationships, Exam stress, Bullying, Eating disorders, Self-harm, Life problems, General health.
Young Minds & Crisis Text Service (SHOUT)
Young Minds is an online platform for young people who want to understand how they are feeling, find ways to feel better, or support someone who’s struggling.
Click here to visit their website.
Young people can text the Young Minds crisis messenger (also known as SHOUT) for free, confidential 24/7 support across the UK if they are experiencing a mental health crisis.
Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
Text YM to 85258
MIND
Information and support for Young People aged 11-18. Videos, tools and tips for student mental health.
Anna Freud Centre & AFC Crisis Text Service
The Anna Freud National Centre for Children & Families provides useful Mental Health information, guidance and advice on their website.
Click here to visit their website.
The AFC Crisis Messenger text service is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. The service is staffed by trained volunteers who will work with you to take your next steps towards feeling better.
Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
They can help with issues such as anxiety, worry, panic attacks, bullying and depression and are there to talk at any time of day or night.
Young people in need of support can text AFC to 85258.
Childline
Childline offer support, activities and tools such as, mood journal, boost your mood tool, Art box, coping kit and calming tips.
When you call Childline you’ll get through to a counsellor, they’re there to listen and support you with anything you’d like to talk about 24/7, 7 days a week. This call is free and it won’t show on your bill.
Call free on 0800 1111
Or you can have a one-to-one counsellor chat online.
Support for self-harm
Self-harm is any behaviour which may result in a person harming their body through their own actions. The reasons children and teenagers can self-harm are often complicated and will be different for every child or young person.
More information, advice and guidance around self-harm can be found on the sites below:
NHS
The NHS offer self-care videos with tips on taking care of yourself on social media, dealing with unhelpful thoughts, sleep, dealing with change, worry and exercise.
THRIVE
Manchester THRIVE is a single point of entry to Manchester’s Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health offer. Young people, parents/carers and schools can refer to their service for support.
The Mix
The Mix is here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts that people under 25 have in order to give them the best support through our digital and phone services.
The Proud Trust
The Proud Trust support LGBT+ young people. Their website offers advice covering a range of different things such as coming out, faith and religion, and staying safe.
They also offer Proud Connections – a live web chat providing online support for LGBT+ young people.
The web chat is open 12pm – 6pm, from Monday to Friday.
Online Support for Parents and Carers
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
Resources for parents and carers which offer advice and guidance to help support children and young people who may be struggling with poor mental health.
Young Minds
Call their Parents/Carers Helpline for detailed advice, emotional support and signposting about a child or young person up to the age of 25.
Call for free on 0808 802 5544 from 9:30am – 4pm, Mon – Fri.
MIND
Information for parents and carers who are supporting a young person with their mental health.
Mental Health Foundation
A guide for parents and carers to help children understand, protect and sustain their mental health.
NHS
Information on looking after a child or young person’s mental health, including top tips on how to support children and young people as well as looking after your own mental health.
The Proud Trust
The Proud Trust support LGBT+ young people. Their website provides helpful information about supporting the LGBT+ young people you are in contact with.
These resources cover a range of different things such as exploring LGBT+ identities, LGBT+ inclusion and how to support young people coming out as LGBT+.
They also offer Proud Connections – a live web chat providing online support for LGBT+ young people and the adults in their lives.
The web chat is open 12pm – 6pm, from Monday to Friday.
Pastoral Support
Behaviours & Rewards
Young Carers