Mental Health
“Mental Health” can sound a bit scary, but it’s important to remember we all have mental health in exactly the same way that we all have physical health!
Like physical health, when it comes our mental health, we get out what we put in. Physically, we need to provide our body with nourishment, warmth and exercise to stay healthy. Likewise we need to look after our mental health and wellbeing to ensure our mindset is resilient for the challenges of life.
Everyone has good days and bad days – it’s how we respond that counts! When we have a bad day, it is wise to reflect and think what was it that didn’t work. What could we have done differently? What help might we need? Who could we talk to? No-one can always be happy (that would be manic!) and our moods naturally fluctuate between feeling positive, negative or somewhere in the middle. Remember – it is okay not to be okay sometimes. We all need to learn how to look after ourselves when we are struggling.
There are many reasons why someone might not be feeling positive at the moment: it could be worries about COVID, struggles with loneliness, social anxiety, family difficulties or dealing with the loss of a loved one.
These issues can be particularly hard to talk about because it may feel like everyone would rather try not to listen to someone else’s problems. This is why it’s so important to know you’re not alone in any hard times you may be experiencing.
If you ever feel you don’t know who to talk to at school, remember we have our Safeguarding Team, your Head of Year, your Tutor or any member of staff you can relate to.
We will always be there to listen, support, encourage and do everything in our power to help.
Below are some key avenues of support:
Call your GP or Health Professional
The first step to take to get help with your mental health (if you’re not in a crisis) is to call your GP or other allocated health professional for our parents and carers this might be Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) or Community Mental Health Team (CMHT). You will be able to make an emergency appointment to see your doctor, or speak to them on the phone. For out-of-office hours, call 111 and select ‘mental health.
Kooth
Kooth offers emotional and mental health support for children and young people aged between11 – 24 years and is available up to 10pm every day.
Website: https://www.kooth.com
Connection 24/7 Phoneline for Dorset
Connection is a 24/7 phone helpline for people of all ages in Dorset who are experiencing mental health issues and need support. Call 111 and select ‘mental health’ or dial 0300 1235440 to access support as part of the Dorset Crisis Response Service.
Call your local Mental Health Crisis Team
Crisis teams support people who are in a crisis (for example due to psychosis, severe self-harm or suicide attempts) by giving assessments and short-term help to make sure they don’t need to go to hospital. They support people in the community – which could be in your own home.
The Crisis Response Service is available at the following times:
5 to 11pm – Monday to Friday
9am to 11pm – Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Anyone can call them on 01305 214500.
Alternatively, contact West Dorset – 01305 361269;
or Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset – 01202 609821
Childline
Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards. www.childline.org.uk
CAMHS Dorset
CAMHS offers assessment and treatment to children and young people aged up the age of 18 (and their families/carers) who are suffering significant mental health difficulties. They provide these services across Dorset (including Bournemouth and Poole), employing an experienced team of doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists and social workers.
https://camhsdorset.org/
Chat Health
Chat health is safe and easy for you to speak to a qualified health professional. Just send a message, you don’t have to give your name.
Discreet and quick. It only takes one message to start making a difference. You’ll get confidential advice from trained health staff in your area.
https://chathealth.nhs.uk/
YoungMinds
We’re the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health. We will make sure all young people get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life’s challenges.
www.youngminds.org.uk