Student Wellbeing

Each lunchtime, students are able to access our wide range of lunchtime activities. The clubs are supervised by experienced staff, with school prefects offering support for students who might be struggling to settle into life in high school.

 

Mental Health and Well Being

In our school community, we recognise that young people face a number of barriers when it comes to their academic and personal development. Our aim at St Damian’s is to identify and support each student’s individual needs to enable them to reach their potential both in school and at home.

​

Mental Health

We all have mental health, so it’s important to understand when you may need to get some help or support with how you are feeling, or to know when you may be experiencing a more serious problem. It is quite normal to feel worried, anxious, or upset when things don’t go as you hope or planned. Everyone faces pressure in their lives at certain times and these can include:

​

• Exam Stress

• Meeting deadlines

• Classwork and homework

• Growing up and becoming more independent from your family

• Making up (and breaking up) with friends

• Home life

​​

Knowing when to get help, advice, and support:

If you are concerned your child is experiencing worries, anxieties and difficult feelings, for example:

• Being able to focus on your studies and come to school

• Being able to eat or sleep as you would normally do

• To go out with your friends or take part in activities

If any of these concerns are affecting your child’s everyday life then it maybe that you need to seek professional advice, help and support.

​

How we support students and their families with mental health and wellbeing.

St Damian’s have a Pastoral Student Support Team who are qualified in Youth Mental Health First Aid. All our Pastoral Team are also Mental Health Champions.

​

To support the welfare of our students we offer support in school as well as signpost students and their family’s external agencies.

​

St Damian’s has access to a school nurse and a health mentor, we are also very fortunate to be able to offer support to our students via the TOGMIND/42ND STREET practitioner in school programme and we have the Outreach Programme to support our students. The professionals come into school and meet with individual students to offer a bespoke package for their needs.

​

Agencies who offer help and support to Young People

​

TOGMind/42nd Street

Offer an innovative range of therapeutic services that can be tailored to meet both school, community, and individual needs. They offer 1-1 counselling support, support with ‘Families in Mind’ in an informal setting. 0161 330 9223 - located on Katherine Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne. Groups for parents to attend in an informal setting. Information and resources available. Check website for details of your local hub.

​

Kooth.com – is a free, safe and anonymous online support and counselling service for young people adged 11-18 years, to support with mental health.

​

Young Minds Crisis Messenger – provides free 24 hours crisis support. Text – YM to 85258 Text are free from most networks.

​

Samaritians are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Call 0116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

​

BEAT Youthline – Offers online chat and telephone support to young people struggling with an eating disorder

​

There helpline number is 0808 801 0711, open from 9am-8pm during the week and 4pm-8pm on weekends and bank holidays.

​

HOPELINEUK – is for young people experiencing suicidal thoughts. Call 0800 068 4141, 9am – 12am midnight every day of the year.

​

SHOUT – provides free confidential 24/7 message support for anyone who is struggling to cope and anyone in crisis Text SHOUT to 85258.

​

ChildLine provides confidential telephone counselling service for any child under 19 years. Call their 24-hour helpline 0800 1111. Sign up for a ChildLine account childline.org.uk/registration/or have a one to one chat.

​

Childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat with an online counsellor.

​

Support for parents of young people with mental health concerns.

​

Samaritans - 116 123 – Free to call 24 hours a day

Childline - 0800 1111 – Free to call 24 hours a day

Teen Body Image and Self-esteem – A practical guide for parents

 

 

Young Minds parents Helpline – for parents, guardians, and Carers – call 0808 802 5544

​

If you require urgent mental health support or advice, call the 24-hour mental Health helpline 0800 014 9995 or contact your G.P.

If you have noticed physical injuries such as deep cuts or burns, contact 111 nhs.uk or your G.P. for advice.

​

In an emergency

If your child has taken an overdose or requires urgent medical help call 999 or take them to the nearest A and E.