Mental Health & Well-being
At Wilson Primary, we believe that children learn best when they feel safe, happy and supported. Mental health and wellbeing are at the heart of our school community, and we are committed to working in partnership with families to help every child feel secure, confident and able to thrive.
This page brings together information, guidance and resources to support you and your child, and to show how we promote positive wellbeing across the school. If you ever have concerns or need advice, we are here to listen and ready to help.
Our Approach to Wellbeing
At Wilson Primary School, we promote positive mental health by creating a caring, supportive environment where every child feels safe, valued and able to talk about how they feel. We teach children about emotions and wellbeing through our PSHE and RSE curriculum, assemblies and class discussions, helping them develop healthy coping strategies and confidence. Staff are trained to notice early signs that a child may be struggling and to offer sensitive, appropriate support, involving families wherever needed. We have a Senior Mental Health Lead and pastoral staff, including ELSAs and a school counsellor, who provide extra help for children who need it. We also work in partnership with parents and carers, signposting useful resources and services and meeting regularly to ensure children receive the right support at home and at school. As a whole school, we actively promote kindness, respect, healthy relationships and emotional safety, making sure wellbeing is part of everyday life for all pupils and staff.
Support for Your Child
We have a strong pastoral system in place to ensure every child feels safe, supported and able to talk about their feelings. All pupils have access to universal wellbeing support across the school through our PSHE and RSE curriculum, assemblies, and classroom discussions, which help children understand emotions, develop healthy coping strategies and learn how to seek help when needed.
For children who need extra support, we provide a range of interventions, including sessions with our Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs), pastoral check‑ins, small‑group wellbeing activities and access to a school counsellor where appropriate. Our Senior Mental Health Lead oversees this provision and ensures that children receive the right level of help at the right time. If needed, we can also guide families toward external support such as GPs, CAMHS, Young Minds or local counselling services.
If you have concerns about your child’s mental health or wellbeing, please speak to your child’s class teacher, the Senior Mental Health Lead, the SENDCo or a member of our safeguarding team. We will always listen, work closely with you and decide together on the best next steps to support your child
Support for Families
We know that supporting a child’s mental health is most effective when school and home work together. Our aim is to offer families guidance, reassurance and practical help so that you feel confident supporting your child’s wellbeing. We encourage parents and carers to speak to us about any concerns—no matter how small—so that we can work together to provide the right support at the right time.
We know that children do best when the adults around them feel supported too. If you ever have concerns about your child’s wellbeing or your own, you are always welcome to talk to us. We are here to listen without judgement and help you find the right support.
We can offer simple strategies to try at home, signpost trusted organisations, and guide you towards local services that support both children’s and adults’ mental health. Our aim is to make sure families feel informed, connected and not alone.
If you need help, please speak to your child’s class teacher, our Mental Health Lead, the SENDCo or a member of the safeguarding team — we are always here to support the whole family.
Wellbeing & Pastoral Team
We are here to support the emotional, social and mental wellbeing of all pupils. If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing—big or small—please get in touch. No worry is too minor, and early support makes a big difference.
If you are concerned about your child’s mental health—or your own—please reach out to us so we can offer support, guidance, and help you access the right services.
- Mental Health Lead - Mrs Charnock
- SENDCo - Mrs O'Donnell
- Safeguarding team - Mrs Hurst, Mrs Daniel, Mrs Charnock & Mrs O'Donnell
Wellbeing Resources & Information
Supporting children’s mental health is a shared effort between school and families. Below is a collection of trusted organisations, helplines and websites offering guidance, emotional support, and practical strategies for parents and carers.
General Mental Health Resources for Parents & Carers
- YoungMinds – Parent Support Hub
Practical guidance on supporting your child’s mental health, A–Z guides, and a Parents Helpline (0808 802 5544); Young minds - NSPCC Helpline (0808 800 5000) – Support for adults concerned about a child’s wellbeing; Helpline
- SupportLine (01708 765200) – Confidential emotional support for parents and families.
SupportLine - Rethink Mental Illness – Information on different mental health conditions and self‑help approaches; Rethink
Child & Young Person‑Focused Support
- Childline (0800 1111) – Free, confidential support for children up to age 19, plus advice for parents; Childline
- The Mix – Support for young people up to 25 via online chat, text, and helpline (0808 808 4994); The MIx
- Papyrus HOPELINEUK – Suicide prevention support for young people up to 35.
Papyrus - Epic Friends – Helps young people learn how to support friends struggling with their emotions; Epic Friends
School‑Age Wellbeing & Behaviour Support
- This May Help – Advice for supporting your child’s mental health (NHS-backed); This may help
- MindEd – Free learning resources for parents about children’s mental health; MindEd
- Reading Well (KS2 Booklist) – Books chosen by health professionals to support mental wellbeing; Reading Well
Support for Families Impacted by Mental Health Challenges
- Our Time – Workshops and resources for children affected by a parent’s mental illness.
Our time - NACOA (0800 358 3456) – Support for children with a parent or carer struggling with alcohol misuse. NACOA
- Childline – Supporting a family member with mental health issues - Includes tips on coping with siblings or parents experiencing mental health challenges.
Childline
Useful Apps for Wellbeing
- Headspace – Guided meditation (free and paid versions).
- Calm Harm – Helps young people manage urges to self-harm.
- MindShift – Designed to help young people manage anxiety.
- Doc Ready – Helps young people prepare to talk to a GP about mental health.
ActIvity & Resource Packs for Families
- Herefordshire & Worcestershire CAMHS Activity Packs
Downloadable wellbeing activities, posters and parent resources; camhs.hacw.nhs.uk
Specialist Mental Health Services
- Perinatal Parent‑Infant Mental Health Services – For parents struggling during pregnancy or postnatally. PP-IMHS
- CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services) – NHS services for children with more complex needs. See local NHS pages for resources:
Oxford Health CAMHS
Urgent & 24/7 Mental Health Support
- NHS Urgent Mental Health Helpline – Free, confidential 24/7 support for anyone of any age.
Find your local helpline: NHS website - Samaritans (116 123) – 24/7 emotional support for anyone struggling - Samaritans website
- CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58) – Supports anyone feeling overwhelmed, open 5pm–midnight daily. - Calm website