Pastoral

Mrs O'Kane - Children's Wellbeing Counsellor and Life Skills Co-ordinator

Ms Garcia

Emotional Health and Well-Being

Here at St Gregory’s, we believe in supporting our whole school community to realise their full potential, be the best they can and be able to cope with the stresses of life. To do this we work together under our Mental Health Mission Statement, which is;

‘Mental health is a state of wellbeing 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 Organisation)

Our vision is for wellbeing and good mental health to become a strategic priority, embedded into the culture and ethos of school. We aim to promote positive mental health for every member of our staff and all pupils and to increase awareness of the importance of promoting and improving emotional wellbeing and how this connects to learning.

We pursue this aim using both whole school approaches and more specialised, targeted approaches aimed at vulnerable pupils along with equipping school staff, young people and parents with the skills and knowledge to prioritise and address wellbeing and mental health.

By developing and implementing practical, relevant and effective mental health and wellbeing policies, procedures and support, we can promote a safe and stable environment for pupils affected both directly and indirectly by mental health and wellbeing struggles.

To read more about this please see our Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Policy.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Policy

In the Augustine Centre Mrs O'Kane, Ms Garcia, Mrs Pilkington, Miss Crawford and Suzie our school chaplain work closely with you, your families and staff to support emotional wellbeing and provide mental health support for the whole school based on individual needs.

The Augustine Centre is open from 8.15am each morning for soft landings where you can come if you need some time to sit, gather your thoughts and sort any worries you may have. From this, if you need any further support we can arrange planned sessions in the week to work through whatever it is you need.

We also have the Pastoral team at St Gregorys which include the Pastoral Support Managers Miss Dolphin, Mrs Heaton, Mrs Lee, Mrs Batty and Miss Evans and your Pupil Progress Managers who are all available to support you and your families. Should you need to speak to someone we will always make time to help you.

There are lots of different group activities which run throughout school, all of which you are welcome to be a part of as we love nothing more than giving everyone the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the community.

Useful advice will be regularly posted via ‘Announcements’ on Class Charts.

If you would like to discuss anything further or have any questions you can email me directly on TO'Kane@stgregoryshigh.com / Agarcia@stgregoryshigh.com or ring the school office on 01925 574888.

Emotional Health and Wellbeing Handbook

Parental Workshops

We believe that to create lasting change, support should be available for parents as well as pupils, and as such I am starting to develop different programmes of work and workshops aimed at supporting pupils through parents and to increase parental knowledge and skills.

The following parenting workshops have been put into the school calendar for the year 2023/2024

Date	Workshop
Thursday 14th November 2024	Anxiety Management
Monday 9th December 2024	CDC Referrals/ EHCP Process
Monday 20th January 2025	Behaviour Management
Monday 27th January 2025	ASC/ ADHD Awareness
Thursday 13th February 2025	Low Mood & Emotional Regulation
Thursday 13th March 2025	Healthy Approach to Exams - Managing Stress and Worry
Monday 28th April 2025	Sensory Processing Awareness

Reminders and further information on how to sign up for the workshops will be sent out closer to the time of each session

Children's Guide to Coronavirus

Follow the link below to view the latest Wellbeing Newsletter.

Latest Newsletters

Ambition for All

One of the strands of the Diploma is Mental Health and Wellbeing.

At St Gregory’s it is really important to us that every member of our school work towards developing their mental health and wellbeing, therefore any work that you complete or support you receive in school around your mental health and wellbeing will also contribute towards the Ambition for All Diploma.

School Mental Health Award

St. Gregory's has been awarded the Silver School Mental Health Award from the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools acknowledging our commitment to the well-being of all our community

Useful Information

CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) offer a drop-In service ‘Mind Works’, for professionals, parents and carers and young people to meet a CAMHS or early help worker. They will be asked some questions about their current difficulties and together they will agree a plan of support.

If you have any questions; please ring 01925 575904.

The sessions run at:

Great Sankey Children’s Centre Tuesday 3pm -5pm

The Hub Capesthorne Road, Orford Thursday 9.00am - 11am

Kooth—this is a free online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use. Warrington Council buy into this and it is promoted throughout school.

Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has rolled out a new secure text messaging service for parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-19 years old and a Young People's Service for 11-19 years, enabling them to get timely and trusted health advice from a health professional (a Health Visitor or School Nurse).

The text numbers for Warrington are:

11 - 19 Young People's Service – 07507 330101

0 - 5 Parents Service – 07507 327981

5 - 19 Parents Service – 07480 635994

Action for Happiness Calendars

A monthly calendar with actions for each day to aid your mental health

Additional Support

If your child is struggling with there Mental Health and Wellbeing, please select from any of the topics below for additional sources of support.

Anxiety & Depression

	Anxiety UK	Anxiety UK offer a free helpline which provides advice and support to help people manage their anxiety. Call 03444 775 774 for free, text 07537 416905 or email support@anxietyuk.org.uk for support. Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm. Find out more from the Anxiety UK website.
	No Panic	No Panic is a national helpline for people experiencing anxiety, panic or obsessive compulsive disorders. Call 0300 7729844 for free between 10am to 10pm every day, or call 01952 680835 for a 24 hour crisis line. Find out more from the No Panic website.
	Hub of Hope	The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database. It brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place for the first time. Find support that is right for you on the Hub of Hope website.
	Mind: side by side	Side by Side is an online peer support community where you can: talk about your mental health and connect with others who understand what you're going through. Side by Side is for people aged 18 and over, and it is open 24/7. You’ll always have someone to connect with day or night. Find out more from the Side by Side webpage.
	Headspace	Headspace is a science-backed app in mindfulness and meditation, providing unique tools and resources to help reduce stress, build resilience, and aid better sleep. Headspace helps you create life-changing habits to support your mental health and find a healthier, happier you. Find out more on the Headspace website or the Google Play website.
	WorryTree	WorryTree is an app that helps you to take control of your worries, transform your thoughts and feel better, using proven Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques and sensory practices. Build your confidence and feel empowered to make a plan and take action on your worries. Find out more on the WorryTree website. Clear Fear App – aimed for young people but can be for anyone. Helps individuals manage their anxiety.
	Every Mind Matters	Every Mind Matters is a digital tool to help you manage and maintain your mental health. It will help you spot the signs of common mental health conditions, get personalised practical self-care tips and information on further support. Take the 'Your Mind Plan' quiz to get a free plan with tips on how to deal with depression, anxiety and stress. Find out more on the Every Mind Matters website.
	Shining a Light on Suicide	Shining a Light on Suicide have a safety plan which can be used to keep ourselves safe when going through difficult times. Safety plans can: Practical ways to make ourselves safe from suicide Positive ways we can distract ourselves from negative thinking and behaviours Who is there to give us support when we need it What we can do if we feel we are at immediate risk of harming ourselves Access the safety plan or find out more on the Shining a Light on Suicide website.

Eating Disorders

	BEAT	BEAT offers a helpline which support people with eating disorders understand their illness and support them to take positive steps towards recovery. Call 0808 801 0677 for free, email help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk or use the BEAT webchat. Open daily 9am to 8pm during the week, and 4pm to 8pm on weekends and bank holidays. Find out more from the BEAT website.
	National Centre for Eating Disorders	The National Centre for Eating Disorders offer support for people with anorexia, bulimia, binge and compulsive eating, body image issues and weight struggles. Call 0845 838 2040 for free or use the National Centre for Eating Disorder contact form. Find out more from the National Centre for Eating Disorders website.
	Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation	The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation is a charity which provides support and information to those affected by Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Email support@bddfoundation.org for more information. Find out more from the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation website.
	Hub of Hope	The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database. It brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place for the first time. Find support that is right for you on the Hub of Hope website.
	Recovery Record for families APP	Recovery Record is an app for managing your journey to recovery from eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, obsessive eating disorder, binge eating disorder, and compulsive eating disorder. It includes meal logs, meal plans, coping skills, secure messages and presents information in data and charts. Find out more on the Recovery Record website.
	Stay Alive	The Stay Alive app is a pocket suicide prevention resource with useful information to help you or someone you are concerned about to stay safe. The app includes a safety plan, customisable reasons for living, and a life box where you can store photos that are important to you. Find out more on the Stay Alive app webpage.

OCD

	OCD Action	OCD Action offers a free, confidential helpline which provides an unbiased source of information and support for people with OCD and the people in their lives. Call 0300 636 5478 free, visit the OCD action page to request a call or email support@ocdaction.org.uk. Open Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 8 pm. Find out more on the OCD Action website.
	Hub of Hope	The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database. It brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place for the first time. Find support that is right for you on the Hub of Hope website.
	OCD UK	OCD UK is a charity that educates, offers hope and supports people with OCD through the difficult times and right through to recovery. OCD action offer an advice line, information and guides around OCD. Call 01332 588112 free. Open 10 am - 12 pm every day and 5 pm - 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday. Find out more on the OCD UK website.
	CALM	CALM offer a guide with tools and resources for people affected by OCD. The guide includes information on: What is OCD? How does OCD feel? What are obsessions? What are Compulsions? Where can I find help? Dealing with OCD Talking about OCD Find out more on the CALM OCD guide or the CALM website.
	NHS Inform	NHS Inform offer a self-help guide for people with mild-to-moderate symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder. The guide aims to help you: Find out if you could have symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Understand more about OCD Find ways to manage or overcome OCD symptoms For more information visit the NHS Inform website.

PTSD

Name	Subject	Responsibility
	Combat Stress	Combat Stress offer a helpline for former service men and women dealing with issues like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. Call 0800 138 1619 for free, text 07537173683 or email helpline@combatstress.org.uk Open 24 hours a day, every day. Find out more from the Combat Stress website.
	Assist Trauma Care	Assist Trauma Care offers therapists trained in trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EDMR) and treating complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Assist Trauma Care no longer have a helpline but can offer email support via Assist Trauma Care email line. Find out more from the Assist Trauma Care website.
	Hub of Hope	The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database. It brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place for the first time. Find support that is right for you on the Hub of Hope website.
	PTSD UK	PTSD UK is a charity that is dedicated to raising awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – no matter the trauma that caused it. Through the work PTSD UK do work they are a voice for people with PTSD, provide resources, promote and undertake research and share knowledge. Find out more on the PTSD UK website.

Self Harm

	Calm Harm	A free app providing support and strategies to help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm. Can be downloaded from Google Play or App Store.
	Tellmi	Formerly known as MeeToo. A free app for teenagers (11+) providing resources and a fully-moderated community where you can share your problems, get support and help other people too. Can be downloaded from Google Play or App Store.
	Samaritans	Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. N.B. This is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention. Opening times: 24/7 116123 jo@samaritans.org
	Childline	If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small. Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service. Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired. Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations. Opening times: 24/7 0800 11 11
	Black Minds Matter	Connects Black individuals and families with free professional mental health services across the UK. You can get in touch here.
	distrACT App	distrACT App – an app designed to give information, support and alternatives to self- harm behaviours

Suicide & Suidical Ideation

	Papyrus	Offers confidential advice and support for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts, as well as family and friends; and information about how to make a safety plan. Its helpline service - HOPELINE247 - is available to anybody under the age of 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, or anybody concerned that a young person could be thinking of suicide. Opening times: 24/7 every day of the year 0800 068 4141 88247 pat@papyrus-uk.org
	YoungMinds Parents Helpline	We support parents and carers who are concerned about their child or young person's mental health. Our Parents Helpline provides detailed advice and information, emotional support and signposting. You can speak to us over the phone or chat to us online. You can speak to us over webchat between 9.30am and 4pm from Monday-Friday. When we’re closed, you can still leave us a message in the chat. We’ll reply to you by email in 3-5 working days. Opening times: 9.30am-4pm, Monday-Friday 0808 802 5544
	NHS 111	To get urgent mental health advice from the NHS, call 111 and select the mental health option. 111 will tell you where you can get help. They may also be able to put you through to a trained mental health professional over the phone. 111 can support anyone who is feeling unsafe, distressed or worried about their mental health. They can also give information and advice about what to do if you're worried about someone else. If you would rather get help online, you can use 111 online. Opening times: 24/7
	Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)	Offers support for people over the age of 18 who have lost someone to suicide. Opening times: 9am - 9pm, Monday - Friday 0300 111 5065 email.support@uksobs.org
	Samaritans	Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. N.B. This is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention. Opening times: 24/7 116123 jo@samaritans.org
	Parenting Mental Health	Digital support community and charity offering information, peer support, facilitated listening circles, mentoring and courses for parents of children with mental health difficulties. https://www.parentingmentalhealth.org/ Founder Suzanne Alderson’s book Never Let Go - How to Parent Your Child Through Mental Illness (Penguin, 2020) outlines how she supported her daughter to recovery after she became depressed and suicidal.