Mental Health Support Team (MHST)
What is a MHST?
Schools play an important role in supporting the wellbeing of children and young people at a time when they are experiencing lots of physical, emotional and social changes. Nationally, Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) have been introduced within schools to provide an additional source of support to young people and their families. In Bristol and South Gloucestershire, the MHST programme is being delivered in partnership between Off the Record (OTR) and Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP).A MHST is a trained team made up of a Clinical Lead, Team Managers, Supervisors and Educational Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs). The team works with schools to support young people who are struggling with their thoughts and feelings.
What does the MHST offer?
1:1 CBT Sessions
Work with students on a 1-1 basis, supporting them to manage anxiety, low mood and other problems with well-being. Sometimes this work is with families by delivering something called Parent-Led interventions. Providing parents with new W ideas for supporting their children’s mental health.
Whole School Approach
EMHPs also work to deliver something called a “whole-school approach” to mental health. This involves loads of different activities such as; doing assemblies, running psychoeducational groups, parent workshops, wellbeing boards and providing training for school staff.
What would I do in 1-1 sessions with my EMHP?
Each EMHP has lots of different tools that can help you. Below are some things you might do with your EMHP:
- The first session is called ‘Meet and Greet’, it is all about getting to know you and what you need support with.
- Then your EMHP will focus on helping you use a type of therapy called low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- In each session you will learn new ways to deal with emotions you are finding difficult, how to deal with worries, overcome anxiety, challenge negative thoughts or boost your mood.
How can I see the EMHP in my school?
Speak to a trusted member of staff in school about getting some support. The school will reach out to us and we’ll discuss how to best support you.
What will happen when I get referred to MHST?
When you are referred to the MHST, you will be contacted by our EMHP to book a ‘Meet and Greet’ session.
Who is the EMHP?
At Charborough Road Primary, we have Daria as our EMHP. She comes in on a Thursday morning, to work with children and families.
Get in touch with the MHST:
Email: mhstenquires@otrbristol.org.uk
Phone: 01174038735
Additional Signposting
Local Support:
Empire Fighting Chance: https://www.empirefightingchance.org/
Empire Fighting Chance offer a Box Therapy programme. The programme is designed to support young people aged 8 to 25 in overcoming mental health challenges, it combines non-contact boxing with therapeutic support, delivered by our team of therapists.
OTR: https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/
OTR is a mental health social movement by and for young people aged 11-25 living in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. They offer a range of workshops, hubs and one-to-one counselling.
Parents and Carers South Glos: https://sgpc.org.uk/
Parents and Carers South Glos are a local parent carer forum working to support and represent parent carers of children and young people (aged 0-25) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). They provide a range of workshops, drop-ins and play groups.
Southmead Development Trust: https://southmead.org/children-and-young-people-home
Provide free spaces for children and young people, including a Youth Club.
Link Forward: https://southmead.org/link-forward
Support the wellbeing of children and young people (aged 7-13) who are finding things tough, due to:
- Social isolation
- Being a Young Carer or living with someone with physical/mental health needs
- Low mood
- Anxiety
- Low self-esteem
- Managing a life change e.g. parental separation, school move
Phone Support:
Childline - 0800 1111 (9 a.m - 12 a.m, 7 days a week)
A counsellor will listen to you and support you with anything you’d like to talk about. Or you can have a one-to-one counsellor chat online.
AWP response line - 0800 9539599 (24hrs, 7 days a week)
Talk to someone if you are feeling unwell, unsafe, scared. They will send you to the right service to find help. Our 24-hour daily response helpline is for young people, families, carers and healthcare professionals in need of urgent access to mental health support.
Text Based Support:
Young Minds Crisis messenger service
Text YM to 85258
This service provides free, 24-hour daily crisis support across the UK. They will listen to you and help you think through how you’re feeling to help you take the next steps towards feeling better. Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
Online Support
Kooth - https://kooth.com
This online mental wellbeing community offers free, safe and anonymous support.
Childline- https://www.childline.org.uk
Childline has an online space called a Locker.
- it's confidential - you don't need to give your email address or real name
- you'll be able to use the one-to-one counsellor chat
- you can join other young people on the message boards
- you'll get your own locker, where you can save pages, create images and change the design to make it yours.
Other useful links:
- Happy Maps: https://www.happymaps.co.uk/
- o Happy Maps offer a one-stop hub for reliable advice and information around children’s and young people’s mental health.
- Young Minds: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
- o Offers information and advice for young people to look after their mental health. Provide information for parents and professionals to best support young people in their lives.
- Winston’s Wish: winstonswish.org
- o Winston's Wish provides digital and face-to-face support for children, teenagers and young adults who have lost someone important to them
- BEAT (National): beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
- o Beat support those affected by eating disorders, including workshops, helplines and chatrooms.
- Families in Focus (South Glos): southglos.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/strategies-plans-and policies/children-young-people-and-families/families-in-focus
