Mental Health
Looking After Your Physical Health
At Christopher Whitehead Language College and Sixth Form, we recognise the importance of looking after the physical health of our students and staff, but also the promotion of their mental well-being as having equal importance. We call this awareness Mental Wealth.
As such, we are aiming to:
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prioritise the mental wealth of all of the school: staff and students
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build up a ‘treasure chest’ of resources to develop resilience in situations where needed
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teach adults and students ‘how to cope’ with the pressures we feel day-to-day and in a wider context
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be a school that listens to all
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develop staff confidence in dealing with issues with students and colleagues, helping them to recognise when it is a professional issue.
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promote understanding that ‘observation’ is key to identifying issues early.
Mental Wealth / Reading Well Collection
Our CWLC Read, Talk, Share Collection (mental wealth/reading well) supports the mental health and wellbeing of teens, providing information, advice and support to help students better understand their feelings, handle difficult experiences and boost confidence and mood. It is a mixture of fiction and non-fiction and has been chosen with the support of The Reading Agency and Libraries Connected in partnership with librarians, teenagers and health professionals.
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
A heartwarming and heroic tale of friendship, resilience and self-belief.
Max thinks he is stupid and scary. Kevin, nicknamed Freak, is tiny but brilliant. Together, they become Freak the Mighty—an unstoppable duo who prove that strength comes in many forms.
This is an unforgettable story that explores:
- how friendship can help us overcome fear and loneliness
- the power of imagination and storytelling to heal
- living with disability, grief and trauma—and growing through it
- Told with humour and heart, Freak the Mighty celebrates difference, courage and the kind of loyalty that changes lives. A brilliant read for anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t fit in.
No Worries: How to Deal with Teenage Anxiety by Nicola Morgan
- A science-based, empowering guide to understanding and managing anxiety.
- Feeling anxious? You are not alone—and you’re not broken. Anxiety is a normal part of being human, and this book shows you how to work with it, not against it.
- Nicola Morgan, award-winning wellbeing expert, offers:
- clear explanations of what anxiety is and why it happens
- over 100 practical strategies to calm your mind and body
- quizzes, facts and advice to help you take control of your “anxiety guard dog”
Whether you are dealing with exam stress, social worries or just feeling overwhelmed, No Worries is a toolkit for building confidence, resilience and calm. A must-have for every teen’s mental health shelf.
Useful Links
Find out more about Izzy, an Education Mental Health Practitioner
Find out more about Kate, an Education Mental Health Practitioner
Click here to view more Adult Mental Health Support Websites
Anxiety UK – www.anxietyuk.org.uk
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Helpline Telephone Service: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm, excluding bank holidays).
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Helpline Email Service: support@anxietyuk.org.uk. Emails will be answered within 24 hours maximum, excluding weekends and bank holidays.
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Text Service (for brief advice): 07537 416905 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 5.30pm, responses are limited to 160 characters).
Beat – www.b-eat.co.uk (for eating disorders)
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Helpline: 0808 801 0677 (adults)
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Student line: 0808 801 0811 (students)
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Youth line: 0808 801 0711 (under 18s)
(Helplines are open 365 days a year from 9am – 8pm during the week, and 4pm – 8pm on weekend and bank holidays.)
Bipolar UK – www.bipolaruk.org
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Email: info@bipolaruk.org (response within 3 working days)
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Book a telephone call by typing ‘I want to speak to someone’ in the chatbot on their website here
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Peer support groups
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eCommunity – providing a safe and secure space to discuss the challenges you face, and to share your experiences with others
CALM
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Access free helplines and online support (open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year).
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CALM helpline: 0800 58 58 58
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Webchat available – thecalmzone.net
Family lives (for all sorts of parenting support)
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Helpline: 0808 800 2222 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 3pm)
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Email: askus@familylives.org.uk
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Chat online here (between 1.30-5.30pm, Monday – Friday)
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Online forum community
Dear life – www.dearlife.org.uk
Hub of hope – www.hubofhope.co.uk (finding support in your area)
Mind – Visit the Mind website
Infoline – an information and signposting service
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Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
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Email: info@mind.org.uk
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Post: Mind Infoline, PO Box 75225, London, E15 9FS
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Online community hub sidebyside.mind.org.uk
OCD UK – www.ocduk.org.uk
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Helpline: 03332 127 890 (Usually available between 9.30am – 3.30pm, Monday – Friday)
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Email support: support@ocduk.org
Relate – www.relate.org.uk (relationship support)
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Phone: 0300 0030 396
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Webchat – You can talk to one of the counsellors live online. WebChat lets you send messages in real time. There is a fee for this service.
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Webcam counselling – Webcam counselling is like a face-to-face session but in the privacy of your own home. Fee required.
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Telephone counselling – Telephone counselling is like a face-to-face session at a time that’s convenient for you. Fee required.
Samaritans – www.samaritans.org
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Call: 116 123 (free 24/7 helpline)
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Email: jo@samaritans.org (response within 24 hours)
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Write a letter: Chris, Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING FK8 2SA (response within 7 days)
Every mind matters – Every Mind Matters – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
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Email at: Enquiries@phe.gov.uk
If you are concerned about your mental health, visiting your GP is a good place to start, or you can call 111 for further advice.
Mental health matters – www.mhm.org.uk
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Contact details – Call us on 0800 616 171 – a free 24/7 confidential helpline providing emotional support to residents of Coventry & Warwickshire.
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Email at: info@mhm.org.uk
National domestic violence helpline – www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
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Call 0808 2000 247 for free anytime.
BAYO – www.bayo.ubele.org (Black led initiatives to support mental health)
Taraki – www.taraki.co.uk (working with Punjabi communities to support mental health)
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Email at: info@taraki.co.uk
Mental health & money advice – www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org
Woebot – https://woebothealth.com/referral/ (AI counselling service via app)
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Download Woebot from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or on Google Play Store (Android users)
Blurt – www.blurtitout.org (depression support)
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Email at: info@blurtitout.org
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Postal address: The Blurt Foundation CIC, Devonport Guildhall, Ker Street, Plymouth PL1 4EL
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Social Media: twitter –@BlurtAlerts, Facebook – @Blurtitout, Instagram – theblurtfoundation
Togetherall – www.togetherall.com
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Social Media: Facebook – @togetherwall, twitter – @togetherwallUK, Instagram – togetherall
Parenting Smart – www.Parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/ (Parenting advice from child mental health experts)
Click here to view more Young Person Mental Health Support Websites
Young people first – www.youngpeoplefirst.org.uk
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Email at: info@youngpeoplefirst.org.uk
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Telephone: 01926 450156
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Address: Young People First, Jubilee House, Westlea Road, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV31 3JE
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Social media: Facebook – @YoungPeopleFirst, twitter – @YPFmidlands, Instagram – young_people_first
Childline – www.childline.org.uk
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Call: 0800 1111
Stem4 – www.stem4.org.uk (apps for supporting a range of needs)
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Social Media: Instagram – stem4org
The Children’s society – www.childrenssociety.org.uk
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Call 0300 303 7000
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Email at: supportercare@childrenssociety.org.uk for enquiries.
Young minds – www.youngminds.org.uk
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Text YM to 85258, this provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis.
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Social Media: Facebook – @youngmindsuk, twitter – @YoungMindsUK, YouTube – YoungMinds
NSPCC – www.nspcc.org.uk
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General enquires: Call: 020 7825 2505 (Monday to Friday) from 9:00am – 5:00pm or fill in our form from the website, or write to NSPCC, Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3NH.
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If you are worried about a child: call the Helpline Monday to Friday 8am – 10pm and 9am – 6pm at the weekend. Call: 0808 800 5000. Email at: help@nspcc.org.uk
Hopeline – https://www.papyrus-uk.org/papyrus-hopeline247/ (support with suicidal thoughts)
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Call: 0800 068 41 41
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Text: 07860039967
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Email at: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Carers trust – https://www.yss.org.uk/worcestershire-young-carers/
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Tel: 0300 772 9600
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Email: info@carers.org
Kooth – https://www.kooth.com
Students
https://www.headstogether.org.uk/partners/charity-partners/
https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/
https://actionforhappiness.org/
See, Hear, Respond Support Hub
Adults
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
http://www.actionforhappiness.org/10-keys-to-happier-living
https://www.educationsupportpartnership.org.uk/resources
Parents
Talking mental health with young people at secondary school
https://blog.ed.ted.com/2018/03/12/5-simple-tips-to-help-you-have-a-real-conversation-with-a-teen/
Tips for talking for parents and carers
Professionals
10 Wellbeing Tips For School Staff
Helping Your Child With Transitions
Building Resilience In Your Child
KOOTH
Kooth is a free online service that offers emotional and mental health support for children and young people. When you sign up you can choose an avatar, which helps to keep you safe and anonymous. You can have a “drop-in” chat with a counsellor or therapist or book a one-to-one session.
Kooth’s counsellors and therapists are available until 10pm, 365 days a year. You can talk to other young people anonymously on the forums whenever you like, and keep an online journal.
