Mental Health
Mental Health Support Team (MHST)
The Mental Health Support Team (MHST) works alongside primary schools to support the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and their families. As part of CAMHS, they work within schools to make mental health support easier to access and help children develop positive ways of managing their emotions and behaviour.
For children of primary school age, their support is mainly parent-led, meaning they work directly with parents and carers to giving practical strategies that can be used at home to support your child.
They offer evidence-based interventions for difficulties such as anxiety, fears and worries, and behavioural difficulties. This includes:
Helping Your Child with Fears and Worries (HYC) – a parent-led Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-informed intervention that helps parents support their child with anxiety, worries and fears. Based on the following book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Helping-Your-Child-Fears-Worries/dp/1472138619
Parenting support for behavioural difficulties – practical strategies to help parents understand and respond to challenging behaviours, improve positive interactions and support their child's emotional wellbeing.
They usually provide support over 6–8 sessions, with sessions taking place in school or another appropriate setting. They work collaboratively with parents and schools to ensure strategies can be used consistently and effectively in the child's everyday life.
They also work with school staff through consultations, workshops and training, helping schools develop a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
Your MHST worker is: Dan Parselle
If you think your child may benefit from MHST support, please contact your school’s link workers, Miss Zalewska and Mrs C and Ms Fernandez who can discuss a referral for support.
Book Recommendations
Here are some books which you might find helpful with supporting your child's mental health. You will find a mixture of stories to share with your child, and books offering parents guidance.
Anxiety
- Ruby's Worry
- What To Do When You Worry Too Much
- The Invisible String (Separation Anxiety)
- The Huge Bag Of Worries
- Helping Your Child With Fears & Worries
Self-Esteem
Positive Mental Health
Celebrating Differences
Useful Websites
Take a look at the following websites to see how they can support mental health:
- CAMHS website is fantastic at signposting to different agencies who can support your child. We highly recommend following this link to see if there is an agency who can help.
- MHST
- Young Minds
- Mind
- Childline
- Child Bereavement
- Place2Be
- Nip in the Bud
Talking Therapies is an NHS service offering quick and easy access to talking therapies, practical support and advice. You can self-refer by telephoning 01865 901600, texting “TALK” and your name to 07798 667169, or via the form on their website. The website also provides access to a range of online evidence-based self-help resources.
Buckinghamshire Mind is the local branch of the national mental health charity Mind. It offers a range of services across Buckinghamshire to help people affected by mental health problems. For a list of their services, see: Buckinghamshire Mind - Services (bucksmind.org.uk)
There is also lots of information available on Mind’s national website - https://www.mind.org.uk/. Here you can find information and advice on a wide range of mental health problems, as well as tips on how to improve your mental health.
Bucks Safe Haven offers support to adults in Buckinghamshire who are experiencing a mental health crisis. They can help with listening support, signposting and safety planning. Bucks Safe Haven operates from 6pm to midnight and is located in Aylesbury (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) and High Wycombe (7 days a week), although telephone and support calls can be offered to people who cannot access the service face-to-face. To access the service, please call 01296 453017 (Aylesbury) or 01494 218098 (High Wycombe).
Heads Together is a campaign co-ordinated by the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge which runs a series of programmes to help tackle mental health issues and the stigma around them. One of these programmes is the Heads Up campaign which aims to get men to feel comfortable talking about their mental health.
Switchboard is a helpline for anyone who defines themself as LGBT+ to provide them with support and information. The helpline is available 10am to 10pm everyday on 0800 011 9100. You can also send them an email at hello@switchboard.lgbt or use the chat feature on their website.
Sport in Mind is a national charity that aims to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems through sport and physical activity. Visit their website to find out what activities are available near you.
National Debt Helpline provides free debt and welfare advice. Call on 0808 808 4000 or visit the website to chat to an adviser.
Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text 'SHOUT' to 85258.
Samaritans provides a free helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, offering someone to talk to without fear of judgement. Call them on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
Refuge is a 24-hour domestic abuse helpline. For help and advice about domestic abuse, call 0808 2000 247. Webchat is also available on the website Monday to Friday from 3pm to 10pm. If you are in an emergency situation, please call 999.
