Why mental health is so important?

Having good mental health makes life easier. It helps us to calm and comfort ourselves when we're upset, to cope with the losses, changes, fears and uncertainties in life, to make and keep good relationships with other people and to learn. Having good mental health does not mean feeling good all the time. It is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Research shows that good mental health is linked to:

• improved learning.
• creativity.
• higher levels of productivity.
• better social relationships.
• good physical health.
• increased life expectancy.

Tomlinscote believe that the wellbeing and mental health of those in our community is vital in allowing individuals to thrive. 

Some of the ways we promote student wellbeing and mental health are through:

• Pastoral provision by form group teachers
• The Student Support team 
• Mindfulness during Year 7 enrichment lessons
• PSHE lessons
• Extra-curricular activities such as sports and creative arts clubs
• Access to counselling and other external services such as: 
  • Eikon - Individual and group support regarding low level emotional needs and friendship issues.
  • MHST - For young people who need support with difficulties including low mood, worry, panic, stress and behavioural difficulties. The parents have to complete a request for support form and MHST contact them directly.
  • Therapy Dog - Paddy visits with his owner Rowan once a week and see's students for up to 20 minutes each.  The chance for the young person to 'off load' and chat about low-level worries.
  • Active Listening - Active Listening allows young people to discuss whatever is on their mind in a safe and confidential environment.  These sessions last for approximately 30 minutes. Provided by CYFC.
  • ELSA - A weekly 45 min session over 8-12 weeks, to target a specific difficulty. For example: support with friendships, body image, anger, self-esteem.
  • Drawing and Talking - A 1-1 non-intrusive therapeutic intervention with a trained HLTA to improve and support the emotional well-being and resilience of students. It is a person-centered approach to focus and process the 'How I feel'. It is not designed to 'address or confront' the actual trauma. Students draw what they want and when or if they want to, a story is created verbally in the third person based on non-intrusive/non-leading questioning by the practitioner. The drawings and stories are confidential. 

If your child is struggling or needs support please make contact with their Form Tutor or Head of Year, in the first instance. This can be done through the email office@tomlinscoteschool.com. Please state your child's name and year group so that it can be forwarded to the relevant member of staff.