Mental Health and Wellbeing

Supporting students

Maintaining every day, regular routines wherever possible, such as, attending school and lessons whilst working towards managing mental health is key.

QEGS offers a range of options to help students develop positive mental health and wellbeing and support those experiencing mental health issues. The pastoral team support positive mental health and wellbeing across the school and a number of our staff are trained in youth mental health and first aid.

To clarify, support is available from a number of areas within QEGS:

• Form tutors are well placed to be available to discuss any issues. Many things can cause a change in mental health including traumatic events (e.g. loss or separation, life changes, abuse, domestic violence or bullying).
• Heads of Year are available to provide guidance and support and can work as a link between home and school.
• Our pastoral support officers have a good overview of mental health and wellbeing.
• Supporting mental health is addressed through our PSHE resources and assembly themes.
• Mr Munro and Miss Wilson lead on mental health and wellbeing across school and are always keen to support where possible, or to sign post to external services.

Supporting Good Mental Health and Wellbeing at QEGS

As a school, we believe that the mental health and wellbeing of our students, staff and parents is of paramount importance.

It is our goal to:

• Promote positive mental health and resilience in all staff and students
• Increase understanding and awareness of common mental health issues
• Alert staff to early warning signs of mental ill health
  Provide support to staff working with young people with mental health issues
• Provide support to students suffering mental ill health and their peers and parents or carers

Definitions:

Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. (World Health Organization)

Good Mental Health in young people can be defined as people who have the ability to:

• Develop psychologically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually
• Initiate, develop and sustain mutually satisfying personal relationships
• Use and enjoy solitude
• Become aware of others and empathise with them
• Play and learn
• Develop a sense of right and wrong
• Face and resolve problems and setbacks and learn from failure

Lead members of staff

Whilst all staff have a responsibility to promote the mental health of students, staff with a specific, relevant remit include:

• Mr Colin Munro is the school SENDCo and supports students with SEN needs including those students with SEMH concerns. He can be contacted on
• Mr Nick Henderson, the Duty Pastoral Officer who supports students before and during the school day, including break and lunchtimes. ()
• Mr Marchant, Mr Munro and Mrs Wilson who are the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads. (, , & )
• Heads of Year who take responsibility for the pastoral and academic welfare of their particular year groups.