Cabot Primary School takes the emotional health and wellbeing of every child seriously. We believe that the school can help pupils build resilience and support them to be mentally healthy.
We all have ups and downs in life but in childhood it can be particularly hard to cope with sad feelings and worries that arise when things are hard or scary. There may be times when your child is unhappy or struggling emotionally. You may notice that they seem low or worried or that their behaviour changes. We may notice that they seem withdrawn or upset at school.
If you are worried about your child’s mental health then you are not alone. Many parents and carers have similar worries and stresses . There is good support available from local and national organisations. The sooner you seek help the better for your child and you.
At Cabot, we are fortunate to have a Mental Health Practicioner, Miss Rosie, who comes in once a week to work with children that we feel would benefit from her support. This is accessed through a referral system.
The leaflet: Mental health problems in children and young people: guidance for parents and carers provides some useful tips for helping your child plus links to local and national services.
Local services for children & young people
The School – Please talk to us about your concerns, so that we can work together to help your child feel better. In the first instance talk to your child’s class teacher who will pass this information on to Senior Mental Health Lead.
Your GP – A GP can check any physical symptoms linked to your child’s health and talk with you about their emotional well-being making a referral to a specialist service if necessary.
The School Nurse – Parents/carers can contact the School for advice and support on a range of health issues. The SPA (Single Point of Access) number is
- North Bristol School Nurse Team: Telephone 0300 124 5816
- South Bristol School Nurse Team: Telephone 0300 125 6277
- East & Central School Nurse Team: Telephone 0117 939 3760
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
A free NHS service that assesses and treats 0-18-year olds with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.
Websites that offer information and advice
The following organisations provide reliable information and advice to help parent/carers to support their child when experiencing emotional difficulties :-
- Young Minds – Help for Parents – Information about all aspects of child mental health, including a Parent Helpline 0800 802 5544
- You’re Never too Young to Talk Mental Health – Leaflet for parent/carers of primary aged children
- Talking Mental Health with Young People – Advice for parents and carers of primary aged young people
- Self-Care; Top Tips for Parents and Carers – Advice for taking care of your own and child’s wellbeing
- Childline – Lots of information and tips for children of all ages about feelings and difficult situations
- Minded for Families – Free learning resource about mental health for parents and carers
- Happy Maps – Lots of information about health topics including mental health, organised under different age groups such as; under 5’s primary age, secondary age, young adults
- Charlie Waller Trust – Leaflets on a range of topics to support your family’s mental health
- Shout – 24/7 text messaging help service for parents
- Child in Mind
- Expert led podcasts to help you understand and support mental health issues
Looking after your own mental health
In order to support your child, you need to stay strong and well yourself. It isn’t easy being a parent or carer especially when you are experiencing problems of your own such as relationship difficulties, money worries, problems with work. Often it helps to talk to someone, so don’t be scared about doing this, with friends, family, your GP or a support service. The following organisations can also offer information and advice to help you.
- The Wellbeing College – Directory and database of groups, activities and courses in the B&NES community that can support. adult wellbeing.
- Talking Therapies – Accessed through G.P or self-referral for those aged 16 and above living in Bath &North East Somerset
- Mind Bristol – An independent charity supporting people in Bristol who are experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress
- Samaritans – Telephone for free confidential listening service 116 123
- NHS Choices: moodzone – Helps manage stress, anxiety, depression.
- CALM Campaign against living miserably – Information and help around mental health particularly focussing on men
Agencies and services to support parents and carers in vulnerable situations
Independent charity that provides free, impartial advice and information on a range of issues including housing, employment and debt.