Wellbeing and Mental Health

Wellbeing and Mental Health at Highgate Hill House School

The mental health and well-being of both our learners and staff members is extremely important to us here at Highgate Hill House School. We adopt a trauma-informed school approach which recognises the importance of strong relationships for our learners. We adopt key conversational skills in addressing and making sense of events. In addition, we have staff who are trained counsellors and also staff who are training in counselling.

We are committed to providing all our learners with rich and diverse experiences which promote their wellbeing, as well as their personal and social development. We know that in order to secure positive outcomes for our learners, prioritising and promoting positive mental health is essential. We recognise that the wellbeing of staff is equally as important and it also means they can remain emotionally available to our learners.

We have a Wellbeing Lead who is there to support learners and our staff team. Our Wellbeing Champion manages a number of initiatives, designed to promote a healthy and proactive environment, and to create a sense of community and belonging for all members of the school community. Melrose Education is also committed to the wellbeing of staff with initiatives that include Wellbeing Wednesday on the last Wednesday of every month.

Young Minds

“We know parenting isn’t always easy. Although it’s often amazing and rewarding to watch your children grow up, and to help them learn to be independent, it can also be really hard work. It can feel especially hard if your child’s mood and behaviour seem different and you’re not sure why, or what you can do to help. But you are not alone.” (Young Minds 2020)

Young Minds Parent Support

Young Minds offers free confidential online and telephone support to anyone worried about the emotional and mental wellbeing of a child or young person up to the age of 25.

call the free parents’ helpline on 0808 802 5544 from 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday
email parents@youngminds.org.uk and YoungMinds will respond to your query within 3 working days

MindEd for Families

MindEd for families is a branch of MindEd, intended to support parents and those caring for children and young people.

MindEd is an online e-portal offering free, simple advice about children and young people’s mental health for all adults.

Although MindEd is aimed at professionals, parents and carers may also find the information helpful.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – Devon

If a child or young person (under 18) is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can now access CAMHS 24/7. Please contact 03300 245 321 during normal hours (8am-5pm, Mon to Fri) or 0300 555 5000 outside these hours. Callers will speak to a call handler, their call will be forwarded to a voicemail service and their message will be returned within one hour.

There are three CAMHS crisis teams: Torbay and South Devon; Exeter, East and Mid Devon; and North Devon. Your call will be directed to the appropriate team.

In the event of an emergency, please call 999.

General information about CAMHS services and referrals can be found on the Children and Family Health Devon website.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – Cornwall

Mental health support

Our Mental Health Helpline is open 24/7. Staff are available to provide advice, guidance, signposting, and support over the phone to anyone who may be worried about their own or somebody else’s mental health. Call 0800 038 5300.

Visit our mental health crisis webpage for more information.