Mental Health, Wellbeing and Adverse Childhood Experiences

Introduction

Schools are in a good position to support children and young people to understand how they can look after their own mental health and wellbeing. School staff are also in a good position to identify pupils who need more support. 

The statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education includes ‘preventing impairment of children's mental and physical health or development' as part of the official definition of safeguarding and makes strong links between the mental health of pupils and a school's statutory duties in relation to safeguarding.

You can find best practice guidance for mental health in schools, local services for young people and further information on the Bristol Healthy Schools page of Bristol City Council's website.

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

For an in-depth view of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma Informed Practice in Bristol please visit the Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership website.

The UK Trauma Council has plenty of resources relating to childhood trauma and the brain including resources designed specifically for teachers, and a guide about the importance of social relationships for mental health.

Resources and information about staff mental health and wellbeing

Education Support - mental health and wellbeing support for the whole education workforce. The resources cover both individual needs, including a free confidential 24 hour helpline, as well as whole school and setting approaches to staff mental health. They also offer some bespoke support that schools can pay for. 

Mental Health at Work - a range of resources, and toolkits to support mental health in the workplace. This includes:

Make the Mental Health at Work Commitment - organised into 6 Core Standards, that any organisation can follow to improve and support mental health in their workplace.

1. Prioritise mental health in the workplace by developing and delivering a systematic programme of activity​
2. Proactively ensure work design and organisation culture drive positive mental health outcomes​
3. Promote an open culture around mental health​
4. Increase organisations; confidence and capability​
5. Provide mental health tools and support​
6. Increase transparency and accountability through internal and external reporting

Workplace Wellbeing - sets out national standards for action across several areas, including mental health and wellbeing, which provides a guide for improvements in workplace health.

Mind Plan from Every Mind Matters NHS – free to help with stress, anxiety, improve sleep, boost mood and feel more in control.

Getting support locally

• Principles for Trauma Informed Practice - Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire, developed in collaboration with people with
  lived experience.
• Bristol’s Children’s Mental Health Services (includes links to other local region's directories) - directory of local services including:
  1. Clear, accurate information about support and services available in Bristol.
  2. Ideas for activities locally to help you look after your wellbeing.
  3. Self-help tools and information including online resources.
• Self-harm Guidance for Schools.pdf (180 KB)
• CAMHS Primary Mental Health Specialist Consultation Every school in Bristol and South Gloucestershire has a named PMHS. Contact your local CAMHS team if you are unsure who your PMHS is:
  • North Bristol CAMHS 0117 354 6800
  • South Bristol CAMHS 0117 340 8121 / 0117 9190330
  • East Central CAMHS 0117 340 8600
  • South Glos CAMHS 01454 862431.

National resources

• Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences Early Trauma Online Learning - free training funded by the Home Office Early Intervention Fund.

• How to spot and support students who have experienced trauma -  from the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health

• Schools' Wellbeing Partnership - resources from the National Children's Bureau to develop effective practices through the school community.

• MindEd Hub - free educational resource on children, young people, adults and older people's mental health.
• Digital Wellbeing | SWGfL – free resources  from the Southwest Grid for learning. 
• UK Trauma Council  - free resources consisting of four animated videos and a set of seven training videos for mental health professionals on delivering the best-evidenced treatment for childhood PTSD.
• Addressing emotionally-based school avoidance - resources from the Anne Freud Centre.