Hello, I am Hayley, an Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) based at Kingshill Church primary school every Thursday during term time. I work as part of a wider group of professionals in a Mental Health Support Team (MHST). The MHST is a new service in North Somerset with the aim of improving mental health support for children and young people (ages 5 – 18 years) across education settings. We offer early intervention and signposting and work closely with Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS), Primary Mental Health Specialists and the school nurse team.
For more information on the MHST please visit: Mental Health Support Team – OTR – North Somerset (otrnorthsomerset.org.uk)
As an EMHP, I am trained to offer support to children and young people for mild to moderate mental health difficulties. I use evidence-based interventions called low intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LI-CBT). The interventions help to tackle the challenges and emotional wellbeing needs that children and young people experience, by helping them to feel more resilient, arming them with techniques to look after themselves, and providing strategies to help them cope better with life’s ups – and – downs. This is in keeping with the recommended treatment for depression and anxiety in children from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
Some of the areas that an EMHP can support with are:
- Managing worry
- Exam stress
- Low mood
- Emotional dysregulation – for example, anger management
- Overwhelming emotions
- Transitions, such as a change in routine, like moving up to secondary school
- Self – esteem
- Friendships
To make a referral into the MHST, please speak with a member of the school staff or directly with the designated mental health lead, Mrs Lisa Harvey. You can also make a referral directly into the MHST by forwarding an email addressed Attention of Hayley Welton to: [email protected]
North Somerset – Sirona care & health NHS services (sirona-cic.org.uk)
YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds