We believe having a mentally healthy community is not about being happy all the time, but about working together through the challenges and sharing the celebrations; feeling supported, heard, accepted, valued and empowered.
What we believe Mental Health and Wellbeing looks like for our Nine Acres School Community
- Nine Acres community is responsive and flexible to everybody’s needs.
- We feel safe and are able to express how we feel without feeling judged. We acknowledge that a ‘voice’ comes in many forms, not just spoken and we seek to understand each other.
- We are able to seek help and receive and use strategies when feeling and dealing with difficult emotions.
- We know there is a spectrum of emotions and mental health, and that this can change at different times and situations.
- We acknowledge that mental health and wellbeing is a shared experience: Sometimes we are the ones who need shelter and at other times we are the ones holding the umbrella.
Acknowledging our work to support Mental Health
We are currently working towards achieving the Wellbeing Award for Schools, to acknowledge the hard work of our children and staff.
The Wellbeing Award for Schools has been developed in partnership with the NCB.
This whole-school award focuses on ensuring effective practice and provision is in place that promotes the emotional wellbeing and mental health of both staff and pupils.
The award has a focus on changing the long-term culture of a school, and embedding an ethos where mental health is regarded as the responsibility of all.
With this award, schools can:
- Show their commitment to promoting mental health as part of school life
- Improve the emotional wellbeing of their staff and pupils
- Ensure mental health problems are identified early and appropriate support provided
- Offer provision and interventions that matches the needs of its pupils and staff
- Engage the whole-school community in the importance of mental health awareness
- Capture the views of parents, pupils and teachers on mental health issues
- ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support) - 1:1/ Small group work that focuses on targeted work based on the child's emotional needs.
- Forest school - small groups to support social skills and communication
- Speech and Language intervention - Targeted work to improve Social skills and communication
- On site FLO (Family and Child worker) - specialises in work with children and families who need additional support with home life, behaviour, finances and supporting families working with external agencies.
- Rock Kidz - Support mental health through music (see our videos below)
- Dan the skipping man - promoting mental health through physical activities.
- Mental Health week activities
- Isle dance - supporting positive mental health through dance
- Shakespeare hub school - interactive workshops
- Maths challenges - Taking part in workshops with other schools to promote teamwork and cooperation.
- STEM challenges - promoting curiosity and social interaction.
Mental Health Crisis Support - how to get help
If you feel things are getting more serious and you need urgent, specialist help, then there are organisations that you can get in touch with to talk about how you are feeling. They can then help direct you to the right support. It's important to know that support is available, even if services seem busy at the moment because of Coronavirus.
Community Mental Health Safe Haven (for adults)
If you are aged 18 or over, you can either drop in to the Safe Haven at 7 High Street, Newport, PO30 1SS or call the Community Mental Health Safe Haven where trained professionals can discuss your mental health concerns and provide you with some help.
Telephone: 01983 520168 or by email: safehaven@twosaints.org.uk This service operates Monday to Friday between 5pm-10pm and 10am-10pm (weekends and bank holidays)
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Crisis Line for Young People
If you are aged between 11-17 years old and live either on the Isle of Wight, you can call a dedicated freephone crisis line on 0300 303 1590 (Monday-Thursday 3pm-8.30pm) for immediate access to help, support or advice if you are experiencing difficulties with your mental health.
Access to psychiatric crisis support
If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse or if you are worried about someone you know, then access to all mental health services on the Island is provided through the Single Point of Access Service which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The specialist assessment team can be contacted on 01983 522214.
Samaritans
If you are experiencing distress or despair or having suicidal thoughts, you can also talk to the Samaritans on their confidential, free helpline, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, every day of the year Tel: 116 123. You can call for free on 116 123 or you can email them jo@samaritans.org (note a response to an email may take up to 24hrs).
If you are under 35 and having similar feelings, call Papyrus's HopelineUK from 9am to 10pm weekdays and 2pm to 10pm on weekends. Call HopelineUK on 0800 068 41 41 or Text 07786 209697.
Shout also offers confidential 24/7 crisis text support for times when you need immediate assistance. Text "SHOUT" to 85258 or visit Shout Crisis Text Line
For support on specific mental health needs:
Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk OCD UK www.ocduk.org
Depression Alliance www.depressoinalliance.org
Eating Disorders www.b-eat.co.uk and www.inourhands.com
National Self-Harm Network www.nshn.co.uk
Self-Harm www.selfharm.co.uk
Suicidal thoughts Prevention of young suicide UK – PAPYRUS: www.papyrus-uk.org
www.youngminds.org.uk champions young people’s mental health and wellbeing www.mind.org.uk advice and support on mental health problems www.minded.org.uk (e-learning) www.time-to-change.org.uk tackles the stigma of mental health www.rethink.org challenges attitudes towards mental health
Childline Telephone Number - 0800 1111