Mental Health Resources
Welcome to Athena School's Mental Health Resources page. Here you can find a variety of useful materials to support the mental health of our pupils. Please use the dropdown menu to navigate this page.
Check out the dropdown section below to find a host of valuable mental health and wellbeing resources.
Kooth – free, safe and anonymous online advice for young people
Kooth is a free mental health resource, where you can access safe, anonymous support for children and young people aged 11-24 years.
If you are concerned about your child’s emotional or mental health, the following two websites offer support, including an online counselling service and a parent helpline:
Kooth – free, safe and anonymous online advice for young people www.kooth.com
XenZone is a provider of online mental health services for children, young people and adults. Kooth, from XenZone, is an 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.
Online counsellors: Monday to Friday 12pm to 10pm; Saturday and Sunday 6pm to 10pm.
You can access the Kooth app from your phone, and support is available until 10pm. Read the exerpt from Kooth's website below to learn more about them and the services they offer.
About Kooth
Kooth is the UK’s leading digital mental health platform for under 18s. Founded in 2001, the service now provides mental wellbeing support to hundreds of thousands of young people, available in more than 80% of England and Wales.
The service is commissioned in local areas by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) which allow young people to access it free of charge, whilst staying completely anonymous.
Once a user visits the site, they are able to access peer support through discussion boards, access a library of 100,000+ help articles and even talk to a counsellor live via chat, free of charge.
Have a look here to learn about Kooth's #DontDoItAlone campaign.
Take a look at the link below to learn more about Kooth.
Kooth's Providing an Online Service brochure Final 280322 (1)
Young Minds
Young Minds – children and young people’s mental health charity https://youngminds.org.uk
Young Minds Parents helpline: 0808 802 5544 Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4pm
Mental Health Support Team Podcast
The MHST has created an exciting new podcast for Children and Young People. The podcast will include hints and tips on promoting positive mental health and discuss different ways to get involved with our monthly awareness topics. We hope you enjoy listening to our podcasts and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you would like to give some feedback you can click on this link: MHST Podcast Evaluation Questionnaire
Below are just some of the many podcasts to listen to:
- How to show yourself some self love - click here for the podcast: https://www.lpft.nhs.uk/young-...
- Health and Nutrition https://www.lpft.nhs.uk/young-...
- Getting enough sleep https://anchor.fm/lpft-nhs/epi...
- Stress Busters https://anchor.fm/lpft-nhs/epi...
- Loneliness Week https://anchor.fm/lpft-nhs
MHST adds a new podcast each week, so keep checking back here to listen to their latest releases. You can also find them to listen to on anchor.fm.
MHST have also just released their Summer/Autumn newsletter - you can read it here: Autum term MHST school newsletter.
NHS Mental Health - the five ways to wellbeing
The 5 ways to wellbeing are a great place to start for anyone who is struggling with their emotional and mental health and wellbeing. They are:
- Connect
- Be Active
- Keep Learning
- Give
- Take Notice
Further details can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/
Psychology Tools
For those of you with time to look at something more lengthy with guidance on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) exercises, a guide entitled ‘Free Guide to Living with Worry and Anxiety amidst Global Uncertainty’ can be found here:
Educate Against Hate
Educate against hate Information and support for parents/carers on the issues surrounding extremism and radicalisation and how to protect your child. http://educateagainsthate.com/parents/
Disrespect Nobody
Disrespect Nobody. Find out about health relationships, relationship abuse, consent, rape and pornography https://www.disrespectnobody.co.uk
Youth Mental Health Day
Youth Mental Health Day is on 19th September. See below a guide on how to connect meaningfully for adults.
Athena School and Wellbeing Plans
2022 - 2023 Athena School Dates of Importance / Events for MH and Wellbeing:
The following dates will be acknowledged by Athena School, with both pupils and staff, to contribute towards our whole school approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing. The immersion of different Mental Health and Wellbeing topics across the school calendar helps to normalise dialogue amongst staff and pupils regarding Mental health and will hopefully contribute to positive wellbeing for all.
2022-2023 Academic Year
September |
|
10th September |
World Suicide Prevention Day https://mentalhealth-uk.org/get-involved/mental-health-awareness-days/world-suicide-prevention-day/ |
16th September |
National Teaching Assistant’s Day Send postcards from pupils / Celebrate teaching assistants / Token of appreciation |
12th to 18th September |
Sexual Health Week – to be included in RSE/PSHE |
19th September |
Youth Mental Health Day |
20th to 25th September |
International week of happiness at work Staff wellbeing focus / Opportunity to launch social ideas for the new academic year |
October |
|
All of October |
Black History Month – to be included in history planning Themed conversations / Link in with history / KS3 REAL projects |
5th October |
World Teacher’s Day Send postcards from pupils / Celebrate teachers / Token of appreciation |
10th October |
World Mental Health Day / Athena Mental Health Week Activities / focus days each day / fundraising day for ‘Mind’ / use themed resources from Mind - stick to their annual theme. https://mentalhealth-uk.org/get-involved/mental-health-awareness-days/ https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/world-mental-health-day The official theme is ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’ and we’ll be exploring how we can put mental health at the top of our personal agenda, and how to create social and work environments that are conducive to looking after number one first. |
10th to 14th October |
National Work Life Week / OCD Awareness Week Breakfast activities / discussions https://workingfamilies.org.uk/campaigns/national-work-life-week/ https://www.rethink.org/get-involved/awareness-days-and-events/ocd-awareness-week/ |
11th October |
National Coming Out Day – LGBT+ Group Discuss with LGBT+ group / Use as opportunity to publicise the group as open space for pupils https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/why-do-we-need-national-coming-out-day |
November |
|
All Month |
Men’s Health Awareness Month |
2nd November |
National Stress Awareness Day Stress discussions / workshops for staff and pupils https://nationaltoday.com/national-stress-awareness-day/ https://mentalhealth-uk.org/help-and-information/health-and-wellbeing/ |
7th to 11th November |
International Stress Awareness Week Strategies to cope with stress / Mindfulness, fitness activities, planned wellbeing activity https://isma.org.uk/isma-international-stress-awareness-week |
13th November |
World Kindness Day Random acts of kindness / Athena kindness challenge https://www.kindnessuk.com/world_kindness_day_kindness_day_uk.php |
14th to 18th November |
Anti-Bullying Week Workshops / structured conversations https://saferinternet.org.uk/blog/resources-to-help-you-celebrate-anti-bullying-week-2022 |
19th November |
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day |
25th November to 10th December |
16 days of activism against gender-based violence |
February |
|
2nd February |
Time to talk day Resources shared for breakfast time |
6th to 12th February |
Children’s Mental Health Week Discussions / activities carried out throughout the week - evidence collected |
8th February |
Safer Internet Day - E safety ambassadors Liaise with E-safety ambassadors - resources shared |
17th February |
Random acts of kindness day https://www.cute-calendar.com/event/random-acts-of-kindness-day/40782.html |
Dates TBC 28th February – 6th March |
Eating Disorders Awareness Week https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/eating-disorders-awareness-week-2022/ |
March |
|
8th March |
International Women’s Day |
17th March |
World Sleep Day Prepare resources for discussion of the importance of sleep for Mental Health at breakfast time |
23rd March |
National Day of Reflection Breakfast chat / PowerPoint / resources sent out https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/national-day-of-reflection-2022/ |
31st March |
International Transgender day of Visibility – LGBT+ Group Prepare resources for breakfast time conversations / discussions / Discuss with LGBT+ group https://lgbt.foundation/who-we-help/trans-people/trans-day-of-visibility |
April |
|
Whole of April |
Stress Awareness Month Mental Health and Wellbeing Padlet shared with staff / Stress workshops for pupils |
May |
|
13th to 20th May |
Mental Health Awareness Week Mental health week, daily focus discussions at breakfast time, more events for Friday. https://ukpublichealthnetwork.org.uk/events/mental-health-awareness-week-2023-05-13/ https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week |
21st May |
World day for cultural diversity - included in Rainbow Day Breakfast time discussions on Friday. |
June |
|
1st June |
International Children’s Day - Half Term Children’s rights and wellbeing. Class assemblies and activities. https://www.thereisadayforthat.com/holidays/international-childrens-day |
12th to 16th June |
Healthy Eating Week |
12th to 18th June |
Men’s Mental Health Week Info shared with staff. Discussions in class. |
Dates TBC 20th June to 30th June |
World Wellbeing Week / Athena Wellbeing Week. Activities planned for staff / care packages / no meetings / wellbeing activity on Friday Wellbeing activities for pupils - visitors? Mindfulness etc. https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-wellbeing-week-2022/ |
July |
|
30th July |
World friendship day |
https://mentalhealth-uk.org/get-involved/mental-health-awareness-days/
https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/take-action/resources-your-workplace/mental-health-calendar#toc-2