On these well-being pages you will find a variety of services that offer support.
Please see our support and resources page packed full of signposted services and resources for parents/carers.
As a school, we take mental health and well-being very seriously.We are committed to supporting the emotional health and well-being of our pupils and staff. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support.
We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.
Well-being
Well-being is about our thoughts, feelings, emotions and ability to react to life. A good sense of well-being is feeling ok and able to cope, even when life or situations are challenging.
Sometimes our well-being is affected by things out of our control: illness, a stressful family situation or crisis.
When our well-being is affected and we don’t feel able to cope, this can lead to mental health concerns: sadness, depression and unhelpful thoughts that can stop us from enjoying and coping with daily life.
Mental health Illness
Sometimes, people are born with a mental health illness which affects them throughout their lives. They might have different ways of being supported and coping with their mental health illness; they might take a medicine or they might have a doctor or counsellor that they talk to, to help them cope and regain a sense of wellbeing.
Mental illness is often invisible, but that doesn’t mean it should be hidden. Statistics tell us that most people suffer from a mental health concern at some point in their lives and that one in ten young people struggle with their mental health. People with any illnesses, whether they affect our mental or physical health, deserve support, help and understanding.
Breaking the stigma
Understanding and responding to our mental health and wellbeing needs is something we believe in at Highwoods Academy. We aim to take away the stigma and negativity and help our pupils and families to talk openly we are demonstrating a deep commitment to working towards excellent practice as we place the mental health and well-being of our pupils and staff at the core of our academy alongside our commitment to having a rich whole school culture where all members of our academy community can thrive.
At Highwoods Academy we:
- help children to understand their emotions and feelings better
- help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
- help children socially to form and maintain relationships
- promote self-esteem and ensure children know that they count
- encourage children to be confident and ‘dare to be different’
- help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks
We offer different levels of support:
Universal Support – To meet the needs of all our pupils through our overall ethos and our wider curriculum. For instance, developing resilience for all.
Additional support – For those who may have short-term needs and those who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences such as bereavement.
Targeted support – For pupils who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions such as well-being groups or personal mentors.
We all have times when we have low Mental Well-being, where we feel stressed, upset or find it difficult to cope.
There are some common life events that may affect you or your child’s Mental Well-being:
- Loss or bereavement.
- Family issues, such as parental split
- New members of the family
- Illness
- Loneliness
- Relationship problems
- Issues at school
- Worries about money
- Worries about Covid and lockdown
Everyone deserves to feel good and there are steps you or your child can take to maintain and improve your
Mental Well-being:
- Build positive relationships.
- Take time for yourself.
- Look after your mental health.
- Look after your physical health
What can your child can do in school to gain Mental Well-being?
- Be open and talk about your feelings with your friends.
- Associate yourself with positive people.
- Join an afterschool club.
- Speak to a member of staff.
- Tell the Safeguarding and Well-being Team.
- Get physically active (a Health body and mind are closely linked).
Services and Websites
CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services https://camhs.rdash.nhs.uk/
Doncaster Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) provides mental health assessments, therapy and interventions for children, young people up to the age of 18 years and their families or identified carers when the child and young person is experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties.
The Doncaster camhs facebook page is – https://www.facebook.com/doncastercamhsnhs/
The ‘With me in Mind’ website is- http://www.withmeinmind.co.uk/
The ‘With me in Mind’ (Doncaster) Instagram– https://www.instagram.com/withmeinmind_doncaster/
The ‘With me in Mind’ (Rotherham) Instagram– https://www.instagram.com/Withmeinmindrotherham/
https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help/confidential-helpline/
https://youngminds.org.uk/resources/school-resources/find-your-feet-transition-tips-for-parents/
https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/if-a-child-tells-you-about-abuse.htm
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/
http://www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk/family-and-friends/parents
https://www.autismhelp.info/primary-years
https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/
Click to access Health and Well-Being Support & Resources