At Harrietsham Church of England Primary School, we believe that positive mental health and wellbeing are the foundation for happy, successful learning. We are committed to creating a caring and supportive environment where every child feels valued, listened to, and understood.

Our staff are trained to recognise and respond to children’s emotional needs, offering support and guidance within school through nurturing relationships and wellbeing-focused activities. We understand that ill mental health can occur for many reasons, and sometimes a specialist approach is needed to support a child’s individual needs. When this is the case, we work closely with families and refer to external professionals to help access the right support.

We have a wonderful Inclusion Team who work closely with children across the school, offering both small group and one-to-one sessions to support a wide range of emotional and wellbeing needs. We are also lucky to have Frodo, our therapy dog, and Max, our school dog, who are always ready to lend a paw and a sympathetic ear - both, playing an important role in helping children feel calm, comforted, and confident.

Please find below some links to support for mental health:

• Go to your GP as a first port of call as they are a useful place to gain medical support and signposting of local services, or speak to a School Nurse. Referrals for the School Nurse service can be made both through your GP and through school. 
• Talk to your child’s class teacher or learning support assistant about your child's needs or your concerns.
• Talk to the school’s Pastoral Lead (Mrs Griffin), Senior Mental Health Lead (Mr Gambell) or SENCO (Mrs Evans).
• Young Minds - The Parents Helpline is available to offer advice to anyone worried about a child or young person under 25. You may have questions about a child’s behaviour, emotional well-being, or mental health condition. You may have a child who's already been admitted to CAMHS and have questions about their treatment or want to know what to say to your GP when you visit them. Call 0808 802 5544 or visit the website: https://youngminds.org.uk/
• Early Help – children and family well-being service. School and parents can make a referral for support from a Well-being Practitioner via the Kent County Council website
• Childline - free 24-hour counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday. 0800 1111 https://www.childline.org.uk
• MIND - for information and resources understanding and improving mental health and well-being, contact. Tel: 0300 123 3393    https://www.mind.org.uk/
• Supportline - confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue. 01708 765200 https://www.supportline.org.uk/
• Beat - provides helplines, self-help groups and online support to anyone affected by eating disorders. Helpline: 0808 801 0677, Youthline: 0808 801 0711, Studentline: 0808 801 0811 https://www.b-eat.co.uk/
• The Samaritans - The Samaritans provide a confidential service for people in despair and who feel suicidal. 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org/
• NSPCC - Provides helplines and information on child abuse, child protection and safeguarding children. 0808 800 5000 https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
• Kent Resilience Hub - Website linked to Headstart. A resilience hub for parents and young people age 10+. Support and help around resilience and emotional wellbeing. https://kentresiliencehub.org.uk/
• Beat Eating Disorders - support around eating disorders in young people https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
• Every Mind Matters - mental health and wellbeing website for both adults and children https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/