Mental health & wellbeing
Mental health & wellbeing
Mental health problems often develop early and, between the ages of 5-15, one in every nine children has a mental disorder (NHS Long Term Plan, 2019). Half of all mental health problems are established by the age of 14, with three-quarters experiencing symptoms by their mid-twenties.
In Buckinghamshire’s 2021 OxWell Schools Survey, it was reported that four in ten children and young people had a low well-being score, with one in three never or rarely feeling good about themselves.
Developing good mental health in children and young people is an important priority in the Buckinghamshire Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy and has been emphasised in recent governmental initiatives and policies; in particular, schools have been identified as having an important role in promoting good mental health in children.
National policies and guidance
Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision: a Green Paper
Mental health and behaviour in schools
Supporting mental health in schools and colleges: pen portraits of provision
PSHE Education and Mental Health and Wellbeing
As part of statutory RSHE, all pupils from year 1 to 11, and years 12 and 13 at 6th form are required to be taught about mental health and wellbeing. Schools are mandated to provide a spiral curriculum to deliver this education, including signposting to services and details of how pupils can report concerns and get help. For further details of what should be taught, see Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education.
The PSHE Association have comprehensive guidance and resources to support schools. Please note, some resources are only available for members.
The Anna Freud Mental Health Charity also have some free resources for teachers and parents.
Initiatives and training
Buckinghamshire Mind, in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council, is offering fully funded Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Youth Mental Health First Aid and Suicide First Aid training courses
Senior mental health lead training (gov.uk)
Anna Freud Schools and Colleges webpage
Bucks Mental Health Support Team
Young Minds mental health resources for schools
National sources of support
Mental health and well-being resources for teachers and staff
Local sources of support
For 24/7 support 7 days a week, you can call 111 and press the option for mental health services. People can use this number if they have an urgent concern about a child or young person.
Buckinghamshire CAMHs Single Point of Access
Integrated SEND Service (iSEND)
Suicide Prevention and Postvention Guide for Bucks
Suicide Prevention and Postvention Guide for Bucks
This guide has been developed to assist schools and colleges in Buckinghamshire to reduce deaths by suicide and respond effectively to any death by suicide within the school or college community. This local guide has been developed based on the framework of the Papyrus Guide and includes Buckinghamshire local information and support agencies available to support schools and colleges in preparing for and responding to a student death by suicide.
Amparo (Listening Ear) - Thames Valley Suicide Bereavement Support Service
Provides practical and emotional support for anyone (adults, children/young people, and families) affected by suicide in the Thames Valley area. Support can be provided one-to-one, to family groups, groups of colleagues or peers. This is a free service which is completely confidential and can provide short-term or longer-term support.
Telephone: 0330 088 9255