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At Our Lady Queen of Peace, we are committed to promoting a whole school approach to positive mental health and emotional wellbeing for all students, their families and members of staff and governors. Our open culture allows students’ voices to be heard, and through the use of effective policies and procedures we ensure a safe and supportive environment for all affected - both directly and indirectly - by mental health issues.
School Response
Our hope is that we can:
- Demonstrate what the strategies and support we may put in place at school
- Offer parents and our young people the support access to resources which may support with their calm harm app
Within school we have developed a response strategy to support children with their Mental Health.
This is based on the Lancashire Authority Continuum of need as displayed below:
Where a child is displaying serious mental health issues then a parent must seek help and support from the local health service.
Recognising Mental Health Needs
The list below highlights some of the issues that a child struggling with their mental health may display:
- Physical signs of harm that are repeated or appear non-accidental
- Changes in eating / sleeping habits
- Increased isolation from friends or family, becoming socially withdrawn
- Changes in activity and mood
- Lowering of academic achievement
- Talking or joking about self-harm or suicide
- Abusing drugs or alcohol
- Expressing feelings of failure, uselessness or loss of hope
- Changes in clothing – e.g. long sleeves in warm weather
- Secretive behaviour
- Skipping PE or getting changed secretively
- Lateness to, or absence from school
- Repeated physical pain or nausea with no evident cause
- An increase in lateness or absenteeism
- Changes to classroom behaviour
- Lack of focus
- Avoiding engagement in class
- Fidgeting
- Being overly compliant
- Becoming easily frustrated
- Seeking more reassurance than usual
- Unusual levels or new signs of irritability/ anger
School Response to each Level of Need
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Level of Need |
Specific areas of need |
Examples of Support |
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Green Prevention and early identification.
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At this level pupils are supported by the whole school curriculum and access to the Curriculum for Life programme |
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Anxiety |
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Homework |
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Bullying |
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School life |
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Exam Stress |
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Yellow Early Intervention |
Low level eating issues Sleep concerns Medium levels of anxiety Medium level bullying concerns |
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Orange Intervention |
Low level self-harm Eating Disorders Depressions High level anxiety |
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Red High Level Intervention |
Serious mental health concerns i.e. Suicidal thoughts |
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Where a child is displaying serious mental health issues then a parent must seek help and support from the local health service.
Mental Health: Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation
Mental Health Matters – Find a Service
Mental Health Support Network provided by Chasing the Stigma | Hub of hope
Mental Health Urgent Response Line (for Lancashire and South Cumbria)
The recently launched Mental Health Urgent Response Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 0800 953 0110. It is staffed by trained mental health professionals who are able to provide assessment and referrals to appropriate services.
Online Resources to support
As parents and carers, there are ways we can support children and young people to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy.
There are always steps you can take to support them emotionally and help them cope with problems they face.
There's support available if you feel you or they need it. Young people should not have to face mental health problems alone.
Here are some ways you can help
Be there to listen
Regularly ask how they're doing so they get used to talking about their feelings and know there's always someone to listen if they want it. Find out how to create a space where they will open up.
Stay involved in their life
Show interest in their life and the things important to them. It not only helps them value who they are but also makes it easier for you to spot problems and support them.
Take what they say seriously
Listening to and valuing what they say, without judging their feelings, in turn makes them feel valued. Consider how to help them process and work through their emotions in a more constructive way.
Support them through difficulties
Pay attention to their emotions and behaviour, and try to help them work through difficulties. It's not always easy when faced with challenging behaviour, but try to help them understand what they're feeling and why.
Encourage their interests
Being active or creative, learning new things and being a part of a team help connect us with others and are important ways we can all help our mental health. Support and encourage them to explore their interests, whatever they are.
Build positive routines
We know it still may not be easy, but try to reintroduce structure around regular routines, healthy eating and exercise. A good night's sleep is also really important – try to get them back into routines that fit with school or college.
When to get help
Everyone feels low, sad, angry or anxious at times. But when these changes last for a long time or are significantly affecting them, it might be time to get professional help. You know your child better than anyone so, if you're worried, first think if there has been a significant, lasting change in their behaviour. This could be at home, school ; with others or on their own; or in relation to specific events or changes in their life. If you are concerned or unsure, there is a lot of support so please get in touch.