The term “wellbeing” can be used to describe our complete health, including our physical, mental and emotional health. When we have good levels of wellbeing we feel that life is in balance and that we can generally cope well. We feel motivated and engaged and are able to show resilience and “bounce back” from life’s challenges.
Just like physical health, we all have mental/emotional health; there will be times when our mental health may not be as good as it could be; when this happens, some emotions we may feel are feeling down, sad, quiet, upset, angry, frustrated.
But like physical health, you can also do things to help look after your mental health. It is really important to keep regular routines wherever possible, such as, attending school and lessons as well as having some set times to do various activities throughout your week.
Our school offers a range of services to help students develop positive mental health and wellbeing and support those experiencing mental health issues. The pastoral team support positive mental health and wellbeing across school.
Remember, you can report any concerns at:
studentconcerns@bri.leap-mat.org.uk
Wellbeing Support For Students
There are many sources of support within school:
- Form Tutor and your Head of Year team are available to discuss any issues. Many things can cause a change in mental health including traumatic events (e.g. loss or separation, life changes, abuse, domestic violence or bullying).
- Regular Assemblies and Morning Guidance activities which cover aspects of mental health and wellbeing and support building resilience.
- Ethics staff will cover mental health and wellbeing in your lessons
- Mr Weller, Safeguarding Officer offers support to students on wellbeing on a 1:1 or small group basis.
- Our School Nurse and Achievement Support Counsellor are all in school on a regular basis to offer students support on wellbeing and mental health. Your HOY Team can refer you.
- Wellbeing Surveys to ask you for your thoughts and ideas regarding wellbeing.
- Student leaders and Anti-bullying Ambassadors can also help you to get support from staff in school.
- PRIDE group (supporting LGBTQ+ students) – if you feel this is something for you, please contact Mrs Mellon: cmellon@brinsworth.rotherham.sch.uk
- Any member of staff you feel comfortable talking to, will help you or you can contact Mrs Birch.
Wellbeing Support for Parents/Carers
Being a parent or carer of a secondary school age child has its challenges. As we see our children develop into adults and support them through the physical and emotional changes. As parents and carers we play an important role in teaching children and young people how to understand and manage their feelings as they grow up. Children’s wellbeing is closely bound to their parents’ wellbeing. Therefore, it is vital you look after you and seek help and advice if you are struggling.
The drop down below contains several links and telephone numbers for support services for both you and your child. If you do have concerns about your child’s wellbeing or mental health, please seek medical advice or during school hours contact your child’s Form Tutor or Head of Year Team on 01709 828383.
Qwell
Qwell (www.qwell.io) is now available for anyone aged 18+ in Rotherham.
The service runs alongside our well-established children and young people’s service Kooth.com and similarly is a platform that can be accessed from any internet device 365 days, 24/7.
As a safe and anonymous mental health and wellbeing online service, users can access Qwell.io free with no waiting lists, no referrals and no thresholds. It is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and delivered by Kooth Digital Health, the UK’s largest digital mental health provider.
Useful Links
Wellbeing Support for Staff
Wellbeing is all about our holistic health, including the physical and emotional. When we have good levels of wellbeing we feel that life is in balance and that we can generally cope well. We feel motivated and engaged, we’re resilient and able to deal effectively with daily troubles, as well as ’bounce back’ from life’s challenges. As school staff juggle a multitude of different tasks and demands, it is important that everyone is given the right emotional and practical support so that they can, in turn, support our students. In addition to having a positive impact on colleagues and children, staff wellbeing can improve performance and job satisfaction, which can lead to reduced staff turnover. Importantly, it will also help us to maintain healthy relationships at home.
The Impact of Coronavirus
The impact of coronavirus has had a significant impact on us all. As we teach and provide access to learning in ways we could never have imagined. Whether you are working from home or primarily based in school supporting the learning and wellbeing of keyworker / vulnerable children, the stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic will take its toll on our wellbeing and mental health. If you are concerned about the impact on your own wellbeing or that of a colleague, it is important you seek help and advice.
What are we doing to support wellbeing?
- Regular staff surveys
- Staff wellbeing group – share concerns with reps, for discussion at the meetings
- Wellbeing staff notice board
- Restructure of afterschool meetings
- Open door policy for all staff to chat to SLT
Supporting a member of staff with mental health difficulties
If you have concerns about yourself or a colleague, please keep talking. Please email or speak to speak to Anne Birch, any other SLT, one of our staff wellbeing reps or any member of staff you feel comfortable with. The most important thing is that you keep talking.
If you feel unable to talk to someone in school the Education Support Line on 08000 562561 day or night or Text 07909 341229 (answered within 24 hours).
Useful Links To Advise And Support
If you have any worries or concerns about your safety and well-being and you are unable to speak to a member of staff in school, you should speak to a trusted adult.
If you feel you have no one around you that you can speak to, you should contact one of these support lines or organisations:
Mental Health and Wellbeing
With Me in Mind
Kooth
Kooth is a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy accredited service, providing a free, safe and non-judgemental place for young people to connect with others and know they are not alone. They have instant access to self-help materials, live moderated discussion forums and tools such as online journals and goal trackers. Young people can also contribute written pieces of work reflecting their own experiences, as well as accessing drop-in or booked sessions with professional counsellors from 12pm-10pm on weekdays and 6pm-10pm at weekends. Kooth is available to young people in Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster between the ages of 11-25 years and young people across Sheffield aged 11-18.
My Mind Matters
Young Minds
Place2Be
Samaritans
Call 116 123
SafeSpot
Safespot is an iPhone and Android app that promotes positive mental wellbeing in children and young people and has been designed to help children and young people with their coping skills.
Rotherham CAMHS Crisis Team
Call 01709 304808
Mind
Relax Kids
Papyrus
Cruse Bereavement Care
Coronavirus, Bereavement and Grief online information, advice and support. Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Winston Wish
Support for grieving children
Standing up to protect kids’ mental health (dove.com)
Qwell
Mental health support for adults
Online Safety Concerns
CEOP
ThinkUKnow
Worried About Your Safety And Wellbeing Or That Of Another Child
Rotherham Safeguarding Hub: 01709 336080
Sheffield Safeguarding Hub: 01124 2734855
In an emergency: 999
