At City Academy Hackney we recognise that positive wellbeing and good mental health is vital for students’ happiness and achievement. Student wellbeing is embedded in the everyday ethos and work of the School, there is an explicit focus on this within our PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health & Citizenship Education) and during our tutorial and assembly programmes.
We offer support to our students in many different ways. We have peer mentoring programmes running throughout the school, behaviour mentors – who provide support to help students to manage emotions and specialist counsellors onsite who we are able to refer students to.
Throughout the year we offer support to parents through various after school talks which are advertised on our website. You can see what’s coming up here.
We encourage students and parents with any comments or concerns to get in touch with us at admin@thecityacademy.org – making sure you state the name of your child and their tutor’s name. We will then get back to you to discuss further how we can support.
There are also lots of useful resources online. Below are some websites that we hope will support both parents and students when discussing mental health and wellbeing.
General Support
Young Minds
A fantastic organisation offering free, confidential online and telephone support, including information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person.
Below are some of the sections from the website which can offer support:
- Parents’ Survival Guide – A very helpful website offering top tips on how parents can support their family and child who is experiencing wellbeing and mental health issues.
- Parents Helpline – A free helpline offering confidential advice about mental health concerns you may have as a parent
- A-Z of Mental Health – Information about mental health conditions and what support is available.
The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
A children’s mental health charity with over 60 years’ experience of caring for young minds. This insightful and easy to read guide to mental health in young people will offer both information and support about a variety of issues affecting young people’s mental health.
NSPCC
The NSPCC’s Parents’ site recognises a big part of keeping children safe is making sure to look after their emotional and mental well-being. The site offers information on an array of topics including mental health and wellbeing; self-harm; sexual behaviour; and talking about difficult topics.
Royal Society of Psychiatrists
The main professional body for psychiatrists in the UK believes that everyone needs knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and aim to produce information which is: evidence-based, accessible and up-to-date. Their online A-Z leaflets cover all areas of mental health.
Hackney Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
A local NHS service who offer a large number of services to help parents and young people where there are concerns about behaviour, mental health and wellbeing.
Specialist Support
Beat – Eating Disorders
A website which aims to educate about eating disorders and offers support to those affected by them.
Talk To Frank – Drug related issues
An advice section of the site for parents offering up to date advice and information about drugs, providing access to live chat, email and telephone support, as well as leaflets, FAQs and links to other sites
Alcohol Education Trust – Alcohol concerns
A charity offering information and advice to help parents to discuss issues around alcohol with their children.
Young Minds – Self Harm
A parent’s guide to self harm – what might trigger this and how you can best support your child to get the help they need.
Advice to parents and carers on gangs – Gang involvement
Find out how to spot if your child is involved in a gang and how you can support them.
Below are some resources on mental health and wellbeing: