At Woodside Academy we recognise the importance of promoting positive mental health in both our children and their parents/carers. We are an Attachment Aware and Trauma Informed school so many of the strategies we use are focused on research based approaches to support the children. 

We support our children by creating a safe and calm environment where mental health problems are less likely. However, if any issues do emerge then we react swiftly to ensure they are dealt with as early and accurately as possible. The early support provided will usually be from our Learning Mentor and Mental Health Champion, Mrs Brian. Some issues will be resolved by working effectively with external agencies to provide swift access or referrals to specialist support and treatment. We are lucky here at Woodside Academy to have Harriet from MHST in school regularly to support our children.

In addition to the above, we also recognise that our parents/carers sometimes need help supporting their children’s mental health, and in looking after their own. 

Support for Parents and Carers

Please find a link below to the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families. This website has a wealth of information about mental health and wellbeing and how you can look after yourself as a parent alongside supporting your children.

Our Parents and Carers resources offer advice and guidance to help support the children and young people who may be struggling with poor mental health.  

All of the resources have been co-produced with parents and carers, including the Centre’s Parent Champions and parents and carers from The Pears Family School, and content has been reviewed by the Centre’s clinical team before publishing. The resources compliment those created for young people which can be found on On My Mind with the following key aims:

1. To support parents and carers who are trying to navigate the mental health system on behalf of or in support of a child or young person.
2. To help parents and carers to stay connected with their child to find solutions together.
3. To help parents and carers communicate to schools, colleges and extended family.
4. To highlight the importance of looking after yourself as a parent or carer.
5. To signpost to trusted organisations who may help support a child or young person and their family and advocate on their behalf.

Conflict and Separation

Self Care for Parents and Carers

Child in Mind

We’ve produced a series of expert podcasts to help parents understand and manage child and family mental health problems.

My Wellbeing College - Bradford

Mind- Bradford

Qwell - Free, safe and anonymous mental wellbeing support for adults across the UK

Support for Children

Childline

Call 0800 1111 to get help and advice about a wide range of issues or to talk to a counsellor online.

Childline Calm Zone

For breathing exercises, activities, games and videos to help let go of stress.

Childline Kids

Content targeted to under 12’s.

Eating Healthily

Easy ways to eat well and move more.

Every Mind Matters

Go Noodle

Movement and mindfulness videos.

Kooth.com

An online mental wellbeing community. 

Healthy Minds

Mental health and wellbeing resources and services for children and young people in Bradford district and Craven.

MindEd

An educational resource for all adults on children and young people’s mental health.

The Child Bereavement Network

Advice on supporting grieving children during the coronavirus outbreak.

Think Ninja

ThinkNinja is an app specifically designed to educate 10-18 year olds about mental health, emotional wellbeing and to provide skills young people can use to build resilience and stay well.

Young Minds

The UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health.

There are also some books that you might find helpful:

Think Good Feel Good – Paul Stallard

Hey Warrior – Karen Young

My Hidden Chimp – Steve Peters