Mental Health & Wellbeing

Good mental health and wellbeing are are key components of a healthy life, for both children and adults. We want our pupils, their families and our staff team to thrive: to feel confident in themselves and have positive self-esteem; to recognise and express a range of emotions; to build and maintain good relationships with others; to feel engaged with the world around them; and to successfully overcome challenges when they arise.

You will find information below about how we develop this in school as well as links and resources for more help and information.

If you’re child or young person in a mental health crisis

The NHS and our local hospitals are really busy at the moment, so if you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, the quickest way to get help at any time of the day or night is to call our freephone number: 0800 6444 101, or call NHS 111 and select option 2 for mental health services.

In the case of serious illness or injury, dial 999 for emergency services

If you are already using our services

If you are already receiving support from us and need help please contact:

Your care co-ordinator on the number provided to you or if you need help in the evening, weekend or bank holiday call 0800 6444 101.

Email: hpft.spa@nhs.net for non-urgent enquiries

For a range of self-help information please click here

Live webchat service

If you'd prefer to speak online, click on the SPA red button here. This service is available Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm.

Alternative Contacts

Samaritans Tel: 116 123, 24 hours a day, every day

Childline Tel: 0800 1111 via 1-2-1 chat between 7.30am and 3.30am every day.

HOPELINEUK (papyrus): Tel: 0800 0684141 Text: 07786209697 Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org, 10am-10pm weekdays, 2pm-10pm weekends and bank holidays.

Most referrals to our services are made by GPs

If you are experiencing mental health problems and need help please speak to your GP (family doctor). They will discuss the issues you are facing and refer you to our services, if appropriate. To register with a GP in your area go to www.nhs.uk

Zones of Regulation

Through learning about the Zones of Regulation, children develop an awareness of their emotions and a language for expressing them. Only then can they begin to develop self-regulation and emotional control.

What are the zones my child might talk about?

There are four zones to describe how your brain and body feel and you move in and out of them regularly. There is no good or bad zone because you need each zone at different times e.g. you need to be in the blue zone to go to sleep and being in the red zone is a way of recognising you are in danger or distress.

BLUE Zone – Your body is running slow, such as when you are tired, sick, bored, hurt, sad, depressed, exhausted or shy.

GREEN Zone – Like a green light, you are “good to go.” You body may feel happy, calm, focused, appreciated, proud, thankful, being a good listener, being ready to learn, relaxed or content.

YELLOW Zone – This zone describes when you start to lose control, such as when you are frustrated, anxious, worried, silly, surprised, excited, nervous, annoyed, overwhelmed, scared, jealous, upset, uncomfortable, confused, embarrassed, grouchy or crabby. Use caution when you are in this zone.

RED Zone – This zone is for extreme emotions such as when you are elated, angry, terrified, mean, mad, yelling, being aggressive or being out of control. When you are in this zone, you are out of control, have trouble making good decisions and must STOP!

Parents are encouraged to talk to their child about the zone they are in using language such as ‘I am in the blue zone, I am feeling hungry”. They can then talk to them about strategies they can use to move out of yellow zone back to green, out of red zone, out of blue zone into green zone. These may be listening to music, doing exercise, using mindfulness techniques such as finger breathing, reading a book, bouncing on a trampoline, having a hug etc.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Services

Schools and Families Advice Line (SFAL)

The ‘Schools and Families Advice Line’ (SFAL) is a new service established to provide emotional wellbeing advice and early help to children and young people, school staff and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It can be really worrying when you, or someone you know is going through a difficult time. If you feel this service could help, please call our Single Point of Access (SPA) who will take your details before passing them onto our call back service. Contact telephone 0300 777 0707 email hpft.spa@nhs.net

CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services)

The service provides interventions for moderate/severe emotional and behavioural difficulties in children and adolescents. The teams also offer specialist interventions for other mental health difficulties including anorexia and schizophrenia. Parents can refer their child on his or her behalf. More information is available on their website or parents can call them on 0300 777 0707.

Young Minds

Committed to improving children's wellbeing and mental health. Discover information, advice & support for young people affected by mental health. There is a free and confidential online and telephone support service for anyone worried about the emotional and mental wellbeing of a child. Go to their website or call the parent telephone line 0808 8025544 (9.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday).

Healthy Young Minds in Herts

This section of the website is designed to give parents and carers information on the help available for children and young people who may be experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties. Whether you are looking for hints and tips on how to start a difficult conversation, seeking advice and information or trying to find some support for yourself or your child, we hope that this site will give you what you need.

Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

The Anna Freud centre is a world leading mental health charity for children and families and has developed and delivered pioneering mental health care for over 60 years.

Harpenden Plus Partnership

Offer a free and confidential service to parents/cares of families of children. They will support you and your families with any concerns you may be facing with your child at home or school, however large or small the problem. They can offer anything from one conversation to a longer period of support. They also run various courses and workshops on a variety of topics that give you ideas to try at home. Telephone 01582 623676

More information on General Family Support can be found on the parent / carer hub.

Further information on Special Educational Needs can be found under the 'about us' section.

Resources

The following links take you to information on different aspects of supporting mental health and wellbeing: