Mental Health & Wellbeing
We are mindful of the pressures facing young people and recognise that at times, some of our students may need some extra emotional support.
Through our Personal Development programme (inc PSHE and RSE) we provide students with various strategies that they can use to help them face the day-to-day challenges of life, and signpost them to useful resources that might be of help to them at different times. However, we recognise that sometimes students can need a bit more support.
Different services and approaches suit different students. At Axe Valley Academy, we have a number of ways, in and out of school, to help support our students. Students can speak to their Tutor, Head of Year or Subject Teacher if they have any concerns or worries and are finding it difficult to cope. There are also other places that students can go to for support.
In-School Support
Where students need additional support with their mental health and wellbeing this can be accessed through the following routes:
Tutor and/or Head of Year
These are the people that work most closely with students and will therefore be best placed to discuss any concerns that might arise. Depending upon the situation they may then link the young person with a specialist member of staff who can work with them and their family to ensure they receive the help they need.
Pastoral Support Team
Mr Kyberd (Assistant Head and SENDCO) is our mental health lead and Mrs Tipping (Assistant SENDCO for Social, Emotional and Mental Health) Mrs Collins (Pastoral Team Manager), Mrs Ashby and Mrs Horwood (Pastoral Support Co-ordinators) are based in school and are here to provide additional emotional support.
School Nurse
Our School Nurse is Anita Coombs is usually in school every 2 weeks and can meet with students that wish to see her. The School Nurse can help deal with many issues including anxiety.
Parents and carers can make direct referrals via the School Nurse Hub:
E-mail - easternphnhub@devon.gov.uk
Phone - 0333 234 1903
Contact details - St Michael’s, Orchard Way, Honiton, EX14 1HU
Student and parents should speak to the Pastoral Team to be referred to the nurse, or they can text the School Nurse Team directly via ChatHealth on: 07520 631722
Useful Contacts and Resources
Below is a list of charities and organisations that provide support to children and/or their families where there are issues around mental health and wellbeing
ChatHealth
ChatHealth is a text service for young people aged 13-19 at secondary school to reach out to the School Nurse team for confidential advice on a wide range of issues such as bullying, emotional health and wellbeing, sexual health as well as illnesses.
For more information please visit: Home Page - ChatHealth
Phone: 07520 631722
Child Bereavement UK
For more information please visit: Child Bereavement UK
Phone: 0800 02 888 40
ChildLine
Childline is a free and confidential service. It offers children and young people a safe way to explore their worries however big or small. Support is available by phone or online any time, day or night, plus there is a lot of information and advice on their website on a wide range of issues.
For more information please visit: Childline | Childline
Phone: 0800 1111 (Freephone)
Kooth.com - Online Counselling Service for Young People
Young people aged 11 to 18 years have access to online advice, self-help tools and counselling through Kooth.com. This is available 365 days a year and interactive counselling is available until 10pm every night.
For more information please visit: Home - Kooth
Papyrus UK – Suicide Prevention Charity
Support for young people thinking about suicide
For more information please visit: Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide (papyrus-uk.org)
HopeLine 0800 068 4141
Texting service
A texting service specifically for parents/carers is available. Text a Health Visitor on 07520 631 721 to get confidential information and advice
The Mix
The Mix provides safe and confidential group chat and discussion boards, plus messaging support services and telephone counselling for young people under 25. You can visit the website, call the freephone number, or if you need help immediately you can also text The Mix on their crisis messenger text service which provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you’re aged 25 or under, and are experiencing any painful emotion or are in crisis, you can text THEMIX to 85258.
For more information please visit: The Mix - Essential support for under 25s
Phone: 0808 808 4994 (Freephone)
Young Devon
Counselling is being offered via Zoom video link where possible, and there is currently about a 6 week waiting list. Young Devon is also offering face to face counselling, but the waiting list is a bit longer.
To request support, the young person will need to complete their online referral form at: Wellbeing | Young Devon
Phone: 07935 364 652
Email: yes.exeter@youngdevon.org
Young Minds Parents’ Hub and Helpline
If you are a parent needing help with your child’s emotional wellbeing you can contact the Young Minds Parent Helpline on 0808 802 5544, or visit their website, which has lots of excellent advice and information including topics such as ‘starting a conversation with your child’ and ’20 activities for 20 minutes’.
For more information please visit: Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds
Phone: 0808 802 5544
Self Help Resources
The following websites, apps and courses provide useful sources of self-help for young people and families around mental health and wellbeing
Anxiety Canada
Information to help young people manage anxiety plus self-help strategies for many disorders.
Website address: Anxiety in Youth - Anxiety Canada
Dove Self-Esteem Project: FREE Resources for Parents
The Dove Self-Esteem Project is all about boosting children and young people’s self-esteem and body confidence – and supporting parents to start important conversations at home. The free parent resources from Dove UK and Parent Zone include:
Uniquely Me Parent’s Guide – a 40-page booklet full of guidance and practical checklists for families to use together
Podcast, which dives deeper into some of the issues covered by Uniquely Me
Expert information and advice on Parent Info
To access these resources please visit: Parenting teens: Dove Self-Esteem Project resources
Health For Teens
Health For Teens | Everything you wanted to know about health
Living Life to the Full for Young People
Free online course covering low mood, stress and resilience especially for young people. Work out why you feel as you do, how to tackle problems, build confidence, get going again, feel happier, stay calm, tackle upsetting thinking and more. Use Code YPVC84475 or YPVC94570 to access for free
Website address: LLTTF for Young People (llttfyp.com)
SAMApp
Free app (and advert free) for Supporting Anxiety Management. SAMapp will help you to understand what causes your anxiety, monitor your anxious thoughts and behaviour over time and manage your anxiety through self-help exercises and private reflection.
Website address: Self-help App for the Mind (SAM) (mindgarden-tech.co.uk)
Understanding your Brain (for teenagers only)
Find out what's happening in your brain! Your brain changes as you hit adolescence. See how the changes in your brain explain some of the changes in your behaviour.
Use the code TAMAR to access the course for free!
Website address: Online Learning (heiapply.com)