Welcome to our Wellbeing page
St Mark’s School take the emotional health and wellbeing of every child seriously. We believe that the school can help pupils build resilience and support them to be mentally healthy. Our mental health and wellbeing policy sets out how we do this. Link to Policy
Here you will find information that will help support you to take care of your wellbeing and mental health. There is something here for the whole school community.
This page of the website is here to support you when you need help. Have a look and you will find information or resources or access to specialists and organisations who can and will help when you need it most.
Students
At St Mark’s School, the wellbeing of our students is equally as important to us as your academic success.
Especially now when the strain of lockdown and studying or working from home is difficult for all of us. We can all feel frustrated, lonely and even angry sometimes at the extra-ordinary environment we find ourselves living in.
And for our students – that is on top of the usual challenges and stresses of being a young person in the 21st century!
Here is a video by Mrs Rowlinson-Baker and the SEN/Pastoral Team talking about your wellbeing.
School Staff
If you are worried about yourself or indeed another student’s safety or mental health, you can contact one of the following:
Mr Hilary Kops(Designated Safeguarding Lead). E kopsh@st-marks.org.uk
Miss Lucy Bartlett (Progress Leader Years 7-8) E bartlettl@st-marks.org.uk
Mr Steve Leonard(progress Leader Years 9-11). E: leonardl@st-marks.org.uk
Mrs Michelle Wright(Student support Officer) E: wrightm@st-marks.org.uk
Mr Jerry Parr (Chaplain) E : parrj@st-marks.org.uk
School Nursing Service
For Secondary School Age Young People:
We have set up a confidential telephone drop-in service Monday – Friday 12.00-2.00pm. Any Young person that would like to call and speak to a qualified School Nurse on the end of the phone you can call:
01225 831666 – Bath Area
CHAT HEALTH
If you are struggling with an issue at home or school, reach out confidentially by contacting your School Nurse Service called CHAT HEALTH on 07507 334357.
It is available throughout the year from 9am-4.30 pm (except weekends) for advice.
Or email: St Mark’s School Nurse Contact Details: e: sally.mitchell@virgincare.co.uk
For Parents of ANY School Aged Child:
We have duty school nurses available at the end of the phone Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.00pm should you require any support with your school aged child. If you would like this support please call:
01225 831666 – Bath Area
Websites
Children and young people aged 11 and over are also able to access support themselves from B&NES Kooth. This provides links to advice as well as online counselling.
- Off the Record Counselling service for young people.
Staff – Educators and Support Staff
In order to support our students and our own families, adults need help sometimes too. There are specific resources here for staff.
- 10 Steps towards staff wellbeing:-produced by the Anna Freud Centre
- See the staff bulletin for details regarding free Staff Wellbeing sessions open to all staff being run by B&NES.
- Supporting Educators Wellbeing During the Pandemic A collaboration between the national charities Mind and Mental Health Foundation. This link takes you to an extensive suite of resources for school staff covering
Psychological training first aid – free course
Someone to talk to
- B&NES Education Psychology Service helpline. To book a call back email psychology_service@bathnes.gov.uk
- Shout provides a free 24/7 text support service for education and health staff who are working on the frontlines right now. Text FRONTLINE to 85258 to talk by text with a trained crisis volunteer
- Wellbeing support by telephone for essential staff provided by Samaritans. Call free on 116 123 to speak in confidence with a trained listening volunteer
- Frontline19 www.frontline19.com offers free online mental health and emotional wellbeing services to support frontline workers. You can access emotional support via Zoom, Skype or FaceTime with a fully qualified psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor at a time that suits you for free
Parents/Carers
If you are worried about your child’s mental health then you are not alone. Many parents and carers have similar worries and stresses . There is good support available from local and national organisations. The sooner you seek help the better for your child and you.
The leaflet: Mental health problems in children and young people: guidance for parents and carers provides some useful tips for helping your child plus links to local and national services.
Websites that offer information and advice
The following organisations provide reliable information and advice to help parent/carers to support their child when experiencing emotional difficulties:-
Young Minds: – Help for Parents Information about all aspects of child mental health, including a Parent Helpline 0800 802 5544.
Childline Lots of information and tips for children of all ages about feelings and difficult situations.
Minded for Families Free learning resource about mental health for parents and carers.
Happy Maps Lots of information about health topics including mental health, organised under different age groups including secondary age and young adults.
Looking after your own mental health
In order to support your child, you need to stay strong and well yourself. It isn’t easy being a parent or carer especially when you are experiencing problems of your own such as relationship difficulties, money worries, problems with work. Often it helps to talk to someone, so don’t be scared about doing this, with friends, family, your GP or a support service. The following organisations can also offer information and advice to help you.
Directory and database of groups, activities and courses in the community that can support adult wellbeing.
Accessed through G.P or self-referral.
MyScript- Social prescribing service
Available to anyone registered with a GP in B&NES. This service provides support in finding specialist services and community groups to help individuals experiencing mental health and wellbeing issues to take control of their situation.
Tel: 01225 316199 https://www.bathmind.org.uk/
Samaritans. Tel: free 116 123
NHS Choices: moodzone. Helps manage stress, anxiety, depression. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing
CALM Campaign against living miserably
Agencies and services to support parents and carers in vulnerable situations
B&NES Directory of services: Wellbeing Options
Links to a range of services supporting physical, social and emotional needs across the area.
1 Big Database links to a wide range of useful information for families including Ofsted registered childcare, parenting support, groups, clubs and events.
Signposts to organisations, services, support, activities and groups for children and young people aged 0-25 with additional needs.
Independent charity that provides free, impartial advice and information on a range of issues including housing, employment and debt.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
A free NHS service that assesses and treats 0 -18-year olds with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.
The information on this page has been provided by B&NES Council Public Health Team
First Aid: Supporting Children and Young People. This is suitable for anyone who cares for or works with 0 – 25 year olds including parents, caregivers, teachers, social workers, health workers, charity workers, or those who work in community or social support settings. It is also suitable for young adults aged 13 and above to support their peers or family.
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is used across the world to support people during emergencies and difficult times. It involves giving practical help, encourages positive coping and gives hope, so that children, young people and their families can feel safe, connected and able to help themselves. PFA draws on participant’s existing abilities to engage and support others. You do not need to be a specialist. Public Health England
So please spread the news with your colleagues, parent/carer contacts and young people themselves.
An all-together approach to mental health and wellbeing
Mentally Healthy Schools was launched in 2018 by the Duchess of Cambridge as a legacy of the Heads Together campaign. The website is a collaboration between three of the UK’s leading child mental health and education charities.
All of the resources on this website are free, and all have been quality-assured by mental health experts at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.
Resources for parents & carers
Resources for Children & Young People: