Where To Access Support

Where to go to access support in school:

For students who are worried, anxious, or who have experienced a difficult experience of any kind, it can be difficult to ask for help and support. Often students are not fully aware of the causes or impact of their emotional state and miss the opportunity to have an early intervention or support which could help them.

We have introduced a self-referral process to operate alongside our established support network of Learning Mentors and Pastoral staff in order to give all students a quick and secure way to alert the Wellbeing and Mental Health Team that they are seeking support.

Many students will still find having a conversation with a trusted member of staff is preferable, and these staff will support them in completing the referral form as well as making the time to listen. Key Pastoral staff are listed below, and Learning Mentors or any member of staff can be approached too.

The School Mental Health Referral form (or SMHRF) can be accessed using the students' school log-in here

All requests made using the referral form are considered in a weekly review meeting of The Senior Mental Health Lead, the School Counsellor, and the Well-being support Lead. Appropriate support either in school or referral to additional external specialists is then arranged with the student as soon as possible. We will usually, with agreement from the student, communicate with parents/carers where they may not be fully aware of concerns in order to provide more effective support.

Key members of staff:

Senior Mental Health Lead and DSL - Mrs K Chodera (Assistant Head): kch@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Wellbeing Support Lead - Ms M Cartwright: mca@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

School Counsellor - Mrs C Kelly: ckl@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Whole school Wellbeing Curriculum Lead - Mrs E Hall: eh@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead - Mrs A Wright: awr@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Student and Families Welfare Officer and ADSL - Miss H Norman: hn@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Educational Welfare Officer and ADSL - Mrs H Davies: hdv@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Assistant Heads of Key-Stage

Years 7-9 - Mrs N Jordan: nj@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Years 10-11 - Mr A Clarke: acl@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Assistant Director of Sixth Form (Pastoral) – Mrs R Franklin: rf@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Year 11 Lead – Mr T Care: tc@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Year 10 Lead – Miss C Fishlock: cf@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Year 9 Lead - Mrs L Poole: lp@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Year 8 Lead – Mrs P Wright: pw@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Year 7 Lead – Mrs E Gregory: eg@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Senior Progress Coordinator – Mr M Day: md@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Senior Progress Coordinator – Mr D Hearing: dhr@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Senior Progress Coordinator - Mr T Webb: tw@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Assistant Headteacher and Inclusion Manager – Mrs K Stoneman: ks@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

Deputy Headteacher – Mr J Bardgett: jb@chosen-hill.gloucs.sch.uk

SELF HELP AND SOCIAL SUPPORT HELPLINES, WEBSITES & APPS

Local Chat Helplines

We encourage our students who may find it difficult to talk to someone they know about a mental health concern, to contact a local anonymous, safe, confidential, 1-2-1, support service for young people. The advantage of speaking to a local provision is that if a young person needs to be referred for Mental Health support, YMM and TIC+ will refer to the most suitable Professional Care locally in Gloucestershire.

YMMChat

Young Minds Matter Gloucestershire (YMM) is the Mental Health Support Team working in partnership with Chosen Hill School to provide mental health support for our student population. YMM are piloting a new intervention at Chosen Hill called "YMM Chat". Students can text the number 07480 635723 and will receive a reply from one of the Mental Health Support Team offering free confidential support and advice. More information about YMM Chat can be found here

Useful Websites and Apps

Service	Contact
Big White Wall Commissioned by over 150 organisations globally, they are an online service providing access to millions with anxiety, depression and other common mental health issues.	https://www.bigwhitewall.com/
Samaritans Samaritans are there, day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. Samaritans is not only for the moment of crisis, they’re taking action to prevent the crisis. They give people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others. And they encourage, promote and celebrate those moments of connection between people that can save lives.	https://www.samaritans.org
Mind Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.	https://www.mind.org.uk/
NHS	https://www.nhs.uk/
Papyrus PAPYRUS are the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. They exist to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by shattering the stigma around suicide and equipping young people and their communities with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.	https://papyrus-uk.org/
Shout UK Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.	https://www.giveusashout.org/
Action for Happiness Action for Happiness helps people take action for a happier and more caring world. Our patron is The Dalai Lama and our members take action to increase wellbeing in their homes, workplaces, schools and local communities.	https://www.actionforhappiness.org/
HeadFIT Mental fitness is all about the good management of good mental health. HeadFIT for Life helps defence people stay mentally fit and on top of their game…at work and at home.	https://headfit.org/tools/de-stress/
Healthy Minds Innovation They are committed to bringing the gift of well-being to as many people as possible so that they can do our small part during this crisis.	https://hminnovations.org
Prevent Suicide The Stay Alive app is a suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide. In addition to the resources, the app includes a safety plan, customisable reasons for living, and a LifeBox. Here you can store photos and memories that are important to you. You can also read the strategies for staying safe or explore the tips on how to stay grounded when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Try the guided-breathing exercises, and support your wellness by creating your own interactive Wellness Plan. The app links you directly to local and national crisis resources, so you won’t need to carry around slips of paper with contact details on – it’s all stored there within the app. If the resource isn’t listed, simply add in your own.	https://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/find-help-now/stay-alive-app/

There are a number of apps that can also help you combat mental health and anxiety issues:

App	Further Information
Smiling Mind	Free programs for children and adults All content is free Not for profit organisation Programs for Adult, child, classroom and workplace Stress, sleep, attention/concentration, wellbeing, performance, sport, mindful eating
Healthy Minds Innovations	The Healthy Minds Program App is an easy-to-use guide to well-being. Free app to reduce stress Meditation and breathing timer Podcast-style Lessons Healthy Minds Report
Insight Timer	Lots of free guided meditations. Can choose topic, e.g. anxiety, stress, sleep Timer with choice of ambient sounds.
Headspace	Free trial 2 weeks Guided meditations on everything from stress to sleep Over 40 mindfulness exercises for cooking, eating etc. Short mediations to do any time Sleep sounds 10 day beginner course Monthly or annual subscription
Calm	7 day free trial then £28.99 per year Few free activities to try without signing up for free trial Meditation and relaxation aid to help with sleep
Happify	A free to access website including interactive games and discreet positive coaching. Extra resources available with a sign up cost.
BelievePerform	The world’s leading source of performance psychology, well-being and mental health content for the sport community.

Support with Grief:

Resource	Further Information
Help Guide Help Guide is a non-profit mental health and wellness website. Our mission is to provide empowering, evidence-based information that you can use to help yourself and your loved ones.	https://www.helpguide.org/articles/grief/coping-with-grief-and-loss.htm
NHS Guidance and support on Grief after bereavement or loss	https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/coping-with-bereavement/
Cruse Bereavement Care Cruse Bereavement Care was founded in 1959 in Richmond upon Thames and is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.	https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/about-grief
Winston’s Wish Winston’s Wish supports bereaved children, young people, their families, and the professionals who support them.	https://www.winstonswish.org/