Mental health for children is their emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting how they think, feel, and behave, allowing them to learn, build relationships, cope with stress, and reach their potential, much like physical health. It's about resilience, self-esteem, managing emotions, and feeling connected.

Key aspects of good child mental health:

• Emotional Regulation: 

Learning to identify, express, and manage feelings like happiness, sadness, or anger in healthy ways. 

• Social Connection: 

Forming positive relationships with family, friends, and others, and feeling loved and understood. 

• Coping Skills: 

Developing resilience to handle changes, setbacks, stress, and uncertainty. 

• Self-Esteem: 

Feeling good about themselves and capable of achieving things. 

• Engagement: 

Enjoying learning and participating positively in school and community life. 

When things get tough (Mental Health Issues):

When children struggle with mental health, they might show signs like persistent sadness, extreme worry, difficulty concentrating, significant anger, changes in eating or sleeping, or unusual thoughts. These issues can stem from stress, bullying, loss, or other life challenges, and support is available through schools, doctors, or specialised services. 

Why it matters:

Just like physical health, good mental health is crucial for a child to thrive, learn, and enjoy life, helping them become happy, well-rounded individuals. 

What is in place at St Martin’s to support the mental health and wellbeing of the children?

There is a Whole School Approach with all staff ensuring there is a sense of safety, belonging and security for all children. Staff teach the skills for managing emotions, resilience, problem solving and healthy relationships. Miss Crandon is our senior mental health lead. We also have an Educational Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP), Naomi Coker, who works will children in both 1:1 and group interventions. Naomi works in school on a Monday. Early Intervention is important so we welcome parents and carers raising concerns to us at the early signs of concerns so that we can put support in place and/or signpost for further support from other agencies.

Useful links to services for parent/carers:

Off the Record: https://otrnorthsomerset.org.uk/

OTR is a mental health social movement by and for young people aged 11-25 in North Somerset. You can access both group and 1:1 support by registering your interest online.

In Charleys Memory: https://www.incharleysmemory.com/

 In Charley’s Memory, provide 1:1 and group support for anyone over the age of 11 at their offices in Highbridge. They provide counselling support for young people, and can support around processing difficult experiences such as bullying. ICM also offer support for adults and parent empowerment sessions.

Kooth: https://www.kooth.com/

Kooth is a free, safe, and anonymous online platform where young people can access mental health support whenever they need it. Delivered in partnership with the NHS, Kooth is available to anyone between the ages of 11-18, and in some areas, it extends up to age 25.

Vita Minds: https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/

Vita Minds are a free and confidential NHS service, they offer Talking Therapy support around anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, excessive worry or low mood.

They provide short-term, evidence-based treatments for anxiety and depression that can be self-referred to.

They also offer a Free Drop-In Service across BNSSG where people can come and talk to one of the team about their services, and have a supported referral if needed.

Vine Counselling Services (Ages 8 years through to adults): https://vinecounselling.org/

Vine counselling is a charity based in Congresbury offering affordable (donation based) professional counselling to adults and young people in the community who need help to cope with anxiety, stress, bereavement, depression, bullying, trauma, loneliness, abuse, family problems.

Wellspring Counselling (Ages 11 years through to adults): https://www.wellspringcounselling.org.uk/

Wellsprings counselling is based in Nailsea and offer professional affordable Counselling for adults and for 11-18 year olds. They can offer day and evening sessions, remote and face-to-face. Adults will pay what they can afford based on sliding scale charges while Young People do not pay a fee but are asked to offer a minimum donation of £10 per session.

Reframe (Wanted not Wasted): https://wantednotwasted.wixsite.com/wantednotwasted/projects

Provides free counselling for children  at the WOW Shop on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. This is for children aged 5-18 years who live in Weston. This has a longer waiting list: 

Shout: https://giveusashout.org/

Shout provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis. To access the service, Text SHOUT to 85258.

The Mix: https://www.themix.org.uk/

The Mix is a UK based charity that provides free, confidential support for young people under 25 via online, social and mobile. They are open 4pm to 11pm Monday to Friday and can be contacted on: 0808 808 4994.

Young Minds: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/

Young Minds is the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health. On the website they have lots of different information and resources (for young people and parents) on how mental health can impact a person, managing mental health difficulties, how to access support, and blogs and posts sharing lived expereinces.

Young Minds Parent Helpline: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline/

The parent helpline, can provide information and advice about your child or young person’s mental health. They can also offer you emotional support and direct you to other services that may be able to help. This phone service is confidential.

You can call our Parents Helpline for free on 0808 802 5544, Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 4pm.

Advanced Parenting Groups: 

https://n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/children-young-people-families/advanced-parenting-groups

The Family Wellbeing Team offer a range of advanced skills parenting groups to parents/carers in North Somerset, the aim of the parenting groups is to give the opportunity to share experiences, learn new skills and help build positive relationships.

There are many advanced parenting groups you can book yourself, although some do require a referral from a health/education/support professional.

You can book a place on the advanced skills parenting groups by calling Children’s Front Door on 01275 888 808 or find out more information by emailing: parenting.groups@n-somerset.gov.uk

Parenting Villages:

Parenting Villages are drop-ins and are a relaxed and friendly place where parents and parenting specialists will be on hand to offer support, a listening ear and advice. You can also find out further information about the advanced parenting groups and how these might help to support you.

The Parenting Villages run as follows:

-The 1st Thursday of every month, Nailsea and Backwell Children’s Centre, Pound Lane, Nailsea, BS48 2NP 13:30-15:00

-The 1st Friday of every month, Castle Batch Children’s Centre, Bishop Avenue, Worle, Weston-Super-Mare, BS22 7PQ, 09:30 – 11:00

-The 2nd Tuesday of every month, Oldmixon Family Centre, Monkton Avenue, Weston-Super-Mare BS24 9DA, 09:00 – 11:00

-The 3rd Monday of every month, Clevedon Library, 37 Old Church Road, BS21 6NN, 09:30 – 11:00