Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. (World Health Organization) 

At St Michael’s our Christian vision shapes all that we do. We are very much a ‘team’ at St Michael’s; staff, pupils, parents and governors work closely together to ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to grow in body, mind and spirit; to flourish as a child of God and experience the joy and hope of ‘life in all its fullness’.

In addition, we aim to promote positive mental health for all pupils and members of staff. We pursue this aim using both universal, whole school approaches and specialised, targeted approaches aimed at vulnerable pupils.  Our Mental Health and Wellbeing policy outlines the steps we are taking as a school to achieve this aim.

If you have any concerns about your child, we would encourage you to contact school and speak to your child’s tutor, Pupil Manager or another member of our Wellbeing team.

There are a wide variety of services you can access if you have concerns about your child.

CAMHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. This is accessed via the NHS but in most cases you will need a referral from your GP to access them. More information can be found here.

There are also numerous charities that offer information about mental health and offer support for those who may need it.

Online mental health resource for young people: www.kooth.com

Mind – The largest mental health charity in the uk: www.mind.co.uk

The Mental Health Foundation: www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Young Minds – Charity specifically focusing on young people: www.youngminds.org.uk

ReThink - Charity looking at support but also stigma around mental illness: https://www.rethink.org/

Samaritans – 24 hour helpline from specially trained volunteers: https://www.samaritans.org/

Mental Health in Children and Young People – A useful document that we feel gives succinct advice and information for Parents and Carers.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy - January 2021

 

St Michael’s takes part in the ‘Digital Healthy Schools Programme’, an initiative designed to educate our pupils on responsibly using mobile technology to help them manage their health.

As you know, our country is facing big challenges to the healthcare system. Yet, many of the long term illnesses that impact so many lives and cost so much to treat are entirely preventable.

It has been shown by healthcare professionals that mobile technology is an effective way for patients to manage their conditions and for people to maintain and improve their health. Despite this, mobile Health (mHealth), which can include everything from step counters and stress busting apps to personal diabetes monitoring tools, is a relatively unknown area for many people. It requires more awareness, and we need more help navigating the options available.

This Programme provides an unmatched education in mHealth. Pupils are made well aware of how they can use mHealth solutions for the benefit of themselves, their friends and their families. Through Living Education they are taught how to find the best and, importantly, safest apps available to them by using the App Finder https://stmichaelscehigh-lancs.digitalhealthyschools.co.uk/

Slide presentation for St Michael's Wellbeing Evening 2023