Suffolk schools welcome more mental health support for students
Young people in Stowmarket and Stow Upland will soon benefit from a mental health support team working in their schools to support their emotional wellbeing needs.
Having mental health professionals working with teachers, helping students, and providing closer links with specialist NHS services has been welcomed by the schools and colleges.
Dave Lee-Allan, Headteacher at Stowmarket High School commented: “I am delighted that the students at Stowmarket High and the surrounding area are going to benefit from our collaboration with Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, specifically the Mental Health Support Team. For too long we have found expert help unavailable or extremely time limited.
“This project represents a step change in the way mental health is perceived, supported and cared for. It is not too dramatic to say we are facing a crisis point in some young people's mental health, so we are delighted that experienced, well qualified support is available to help us lead the students towards more positive, healthy futures.”
Mental health professionals will be offering support and interventions for students with mild to moderate mental health needs and their parents, in or close to their schools/colleges at an early stage. The team will also be ensuring that students with more severe needs gain access to the appropriate support. They will also work with the schools/colleges to develop a whole community approach to supporting the emotional wellbeing of students and staff.
“Working closely with schools and colleges in their educational settings will enable our teams to gain a thorough understanding of the issues our children and young people are experiencing at an earlier stage. Demand for our services is increasing and the new team will be working hard to help young people who need their support, at the right time.” Said Dr Amy Alexander, clinical lead for the mental health support teams at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT).
The new team joins the four teams from NSFT, the main provider of mental health services in Suffolk that are already working in schools in Leiston and Woodbridge, Ipswich, Thurston and Mildenhall and Haverhill.
One parent who has been helped by the mental health support team commented: “My concerns were listened to and believed. The weekly meetings made me become more consistent with techniques, follow-up emails were also very helpful. They helped me to believe in myself and my parenting skills.”
If you think you or your child would benefit from working with the mental health support teams, please talk to your child’s school