Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental health and wellbeing matters to all of us and we know that our physical and mental health need to be nourished in the right way. We want all of our students and colleagues to have a sense of belonging at school and to feel happy and safe. At Chapel High School, mental health is of paramount importance, and so we have a dedicated team whose aim is to give students strategies to cope with arising issues and to know who to turn to if they need advice. Mrs Griffiths is the senior leader responsible for our whole school approach to mental health. Additionally, our pastoral team are mental health first aiders.
We aim for our students to be taught strategies and skills to cope with matters when they feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed. We do this through the delivery of learning for life lessons, tutor time activities and assemblies. We also have student mental health champions. They help to run a wellbeing hub at lunchtimes for students who may be having a difficult day and want a quiet space to be alone, chat with friends, or take part in a mindfulness activity, such as craft. We also provide information on display boards to signpost places they can go if they need help.
If, as a parent, you have any emerging concerns about your child’s mental health please contact their pastoral lead in the first instance. They will assess the next steps for your child’s needs. This may include access to our school counsellor, family outreach manager or ELSA. We also work with Compass Changing Lives’ Mental Health Support Team (MHST) who facilitate intervention workshops for students, or for parents who may need additional support.
If you’re concerned during holiday time, our family outreach manager is Mrs Parry, who works on Tuesdays during school holidays: aparry@chapelhigh.org.uk
Child and parental support
Below is a list of online support for parents, if you need some advice or support with your child’s needs:
- Our termly parental wellbeing newsletter, which was launched in 2024
- The Derby and Derbyshire Portal for mental health support is here
The website provides resources and contact details to support children, adults, and those with disabilities and neurodiversity (autism, ADHD etc.). It also includes information on suicide prevention.
- https://www.kooth.com/ Kooth is an app you can download to help students with their mental health. It includes a chat group with trained mental health professionals and strategies for improving wellbeing
- https://www.youngminds.org.uk/ Young minds is a charity who has resources for students and parents on how to talk about mental health and wellbeing and strategies to support families who might be struggling
- https://www.annafreud.org/ Anna Freud is a children’s mental health charity with resources for parents and children on coping strategies and where to turn to for help
Adult Support
Having and supporting positive mental health and wellbeing is a priority for all teachers, teaching assistants, support staff and other adults at Chapel High School. Some suggested places for advice and support are detailed below:
- The NHS recommends you talk to your GP first, as they can refer you to access mental health services. Find out more on the NHS website here
- The Derby and Derbyshire Portal for mental health support is here. The emergency helpline number is 0800 0280077
The website provides resources and contact details to support for adults, those with disabilities and neurodiversity (autism, ADHD etc.). It also includes information on suicide prevention.
- Text SHOUT to 85258 or visit www.giveusashout.org/
