BUILD SUPPORT 

Samaritans- 24/7 helpline 116123

Calm-Men's Helpline 5pm-Midnight 0800585858

SHOUT- 24/7 text crisis line-Text Shout to 85258 

Papyrus helpline- Young Peoples support (under aged 35) 0800 0684141

At Thursby School we put children at the heart of everything we do. This goes beyond academic and learning, we work tirelessly to support all aspects of a child's life. We recognise that some children may require additional support to maintain positive mental health in different aspects. This can include anything from feeling anxious, showing anxiety in various forms, struggling with self esteem and confidence, anger issues, social issues and social anxiety and perfectionism. We also recognise this can be short or long term, can be developed slowly over time or quickly and can be based on trauma eg bereavement. 

We are here to support your child. We are here to listen to parents concerns, children's concerns and struggles and work together to support both the child and the parents during some difficult times. 

For bereavement and grief please view our separate section on the school website for advice and support information. 

For some children, they may require some additional mental health support at school, for those with mild signs. In 2022-23 we hope to have a newly trained Teaching Assistant with ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) with Mrs Connolly who led this now having left Thursby School in July 2022. We will continue to offer 1:1, paired or small group sessions where required and with parent consent.  This can support friendships, mild anxiety, engagement in learning, managing different social situations and any other pastoral needs. We support this by undertaking a pre-intervention assessment and then a post-intervention assessment which highlights the strengths and needs to support wellbeing goals.  We use Anna Freud wellbeing toolkit assessment which is nationally recognised and we utilise an engagement questionnaire to support access to learning. 

If you have any queries or concerns regarding your child's mental health please catch Mrs Williams at any time for a chat to see how we can support you.  Mrs Williams holds Level 7 Social Emotional and Mental Health qualification along with various other mental health certifications. 

From 20th September 2022 Mrs Jayne Williams has undertaken training on suicide awareness and holds the ORANGE BUTTON to support families. From 5th October 2022 Mrs WIlliams has undertaken 9 hours worth of training on suicide awareness for children and young people through ASK programme with Cumbria County Council. 

The Orange Button Community Scheme is a way of identifying people that have undertaken suicide prevention training. That they have the confidence to talk to others about suicide. It is a way of showing others in your community who are having thoughts of suicide, or are worried about somebody else, that you are:

• Comfortable to say/hear the word suicide
• Can listen without judgement
• Can inform people where to find help and support

From World Suicide Prevention Day 2020 we want to begin creating a community of Orange Button wearers across Lancashire & Cumbria. A community who wish to challenge the stigma around the word suicide. A community that can listen non-judgementally and be a first step to helping move people towards the information and support they need. It is not a substitute for counselling, mental health support or crisis service. It is a community scheme made up of members of the public. It is about listening, information giving and signposting.