Mental Health and Wellbeing

At Shipley CE Primary School, we are committed to promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing to all students, their families, members of staff and governors. Our open culture allows student, staff, parents and all other stakeholders voices to be heard. Through the use of effective policies and procedures we ensure a safe and supportive environment for all affected - both directly and indirectly - by mental health issues.

“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, 2014

Our Mental Health Team:

At Shipley CE, we have a Mental Health and Wellbeing Team which comprises of:

Mr Hamilton (Designated Safeguarding Lead)

Mrs Cowen (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead/SMHL)

Miss Drake (SENDCO)

Mrs Hacking (Mental Health Champion/Mental Health First Aider)

As a school, we are aware of the prevalence of mental health and emotional wellbeing issues amongst children and young people:

• 1 in 10 children and young people aged 5 - 16 suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder - that is around three children in every class.
• Between 1 in every 12 and 1 in 15 children and young people deliberately self-harm.
• There has been a big increase in the number of young people being admitted to hospital because of self harm. Over the last ten years this figure has increased by 68%.
• More than half of all adults with mental health problems were diagnosed in childhood. Less than half were treated appropriately at the time.
• Nearly 80,000 children and young people suffer from severe depression.
• Over 8,000 children aged under 10 years old suffer from severe depression.
• 3.3% or about 290,000 children and young people have an anxiety disorder.
• 72% of children in care have behavioural or emotional problems - these are some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

We regularly participate in national campaigns such as Children's Mental Health Week to encourage discussions around feelings and mental health. Mental Health is also threaded through the PSHE curriculum and SCARF workshops which all year groups participate in throughout the year.

This year, we will be working with INVICTUS Rocks charity to support children in developing healthy coping strategies for transition and change, developing boundaries in friendship and supporting pupils with  ESBA.

As part of our commitment to MHWB, we have launched the MyHappyMinds programme across school. Click on the link to find out more.

Mental Health and Emotional Well being Policy - click here

Take a look at our MHWB guide for parents/carers. Scan the QR codes for more information and resources to support children's mental health and wellbeing.

Useful Links:

Mental Health Support: 

• Young Minds
• Minds
• Minded

Self Harm

• Self Injury Support
• Papyrus Suicide Prevention

Depression and Anxiety

• Depression Alliance
• Anxiety
• OCD