Help & Support for Families
A message from your Safeguarding Team, School Counsellors and Thrive Practitioners
Here at Torquay Academy we have a wide range of provisions to supports student’s mental health which are accessible to everybody.
Thrive
Thrive is a recognised organisation that has been developed from the latest research in Neuroscience to support young people in the role of creativity and play in developing emotional resilience.
Wellbeing sessions
These are a single session, face to face, therapeutically informed provision. They have a Youth Work approach and could be a combination of Wellbeing Conversations/single session counselling/mentoring support. Wellbeing sessions do not replace counselling but will enable the counsellor to spend time with the young person to consider their needs/goals/wants before supporting the young person to access a longer-term service if required.
Students can be referred for a wellbeing session through their Pastoral Lead.
Counselling
Following a wellbeing session, ongoing counselling sessions are available for students. Counselling provides a safe and confidential setting for students to explore any issues they may be experiencing.
Frequently raised issues are relationships, stress, anxiety, bereavement, school related issues, self-harm, family problems, drug/alcohol related issues and eating disorders but students can discuss any issue that is causing them worry or concern.
The Counselling service works within the BACP Ethical Framework of Good Practice. Any safeguarding concerns will be referred to our Designated Safeguarding Lead.
As always, if you feel that you’d like support with this for yourself and your child, please contact our team on the email below.
help@tqacademy.co.uk
Mental Health Support Team (MHST)
We have a team of NHS mental health professionals working within the schools offering cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for students suffering with low level anxiety or low mood. Please contact the school to enquire about a referral.
Young Devon
Young Devon are supporting the wellbeing team within the school providing single session counselling and up to 6 week counselling courses. The support given to students centres around allowing the student to be heard without judgement and discussing techniques to help them manage their lives and mental health.
Wellbeing Groups
We offer a number of wellbeing groups for different age ranges and demographics offering positive peer support facilitated by mental health and wellbeing professionals. These groups offer students an opportunity to connect with peers about the issues most important to them.
Recommended Websites for Mental Health Support:
https://teenagehelpline.org.uk/
https://www.mind.org.uk/for-young-people/
How to support a young person with their mental health?
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-mental-health/
App:
Anxiety
https://teenagehelpline.org.uk/anxiety/
App:
Self-Harm
How to support someone who is self harming:
App:
Reduce urges to self-harm and manage emotions in a more positive way
Sleep
https://teensleephub.org.uk/ (Website and helpline)
Eating Disorders
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/services/me/
Grief
Information:
Support:
https://www.childrenandfamiliesingrief.co.uk/
Those affected by suicide:
http://www.petesdragons.org.uk/Support_in_Devon_345.aspx
Sexual and Domestic Abuse
https://www.firstlight.org.uk/
Online Abuse
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
LGTBQI+
Neurodiversity and Mental Health
https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do
Support for Parents
Mental Health Matters – The Moorings @ Devon
Are you feeling distressed, frightened, overwhelmed, or that things are too much for you? Don’t know where to turn to get mental health support? Are your usual sources of support closed for the night?
The Moorings @ Devon offers out-of-hours mental health support to anyone aged 16+ in the Devon area, from three locations in Barnstaple, Exeter, and Torquay.
Address: Croft Hall Medical Practice, 19 Croft Rd, Torquay TQ2 5UA
Open 6pm-midnight every day (including weekends and bank holidays).
Call The Mooring on
07483 991 848
Email
devontorquay.mhm@nhs.net
Youth Groups
Proud2be (Paignton or Newton Abbot)
Girls Against Anxiety (Paignton)
Helpful Apps recommended by the NHS
This app helps young people manage their emotions and reduce urges to self-harm
Reduce urges to self-harm and manage emotions in a more positive way
Mood tools
A free app that helps young people or adults deal with sadness and depression. It contains information about what depression is, tests, guided meditations, soothing sounds and links to TED talks as well as a list of activities.
It can be downloaded on the Apple Store:
https://apps.apple.com/app/id1012822112
Or Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.moodtools.moodtools
TOOL KIT
HELPLINES
YoungMinds – text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger for free 24/7 support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.
If you need urgent help text YM to 85258
All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors
Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
SHOUT – text ‘Shout’ to 85258 for 24/7 crisis text support
Childline – under 19s can call 0800 1111 for free, confidential support