Wellbeing at St Michael's

SEE LINK AT BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR WELLBEING IN LOCKDOWN UPDATE

A teenager in 2021 in London probably faces different challenges to the teenage years that their parents faced.

Smart phones, academic pressure, the cost of housing and living, student loans, media pressure on looks and lifestyle are all pressures that parents may not have faced- not to mention the worry of the pandemic.

We recognise that teenage years can have hurdles and at St. Michael's we want to create an environment where all of our community can access the support they need to fulfil their potential and roles in life. Students and staff.

We have recently been awarded the Well Being Award. This focuses on how we are supporting good mental health and emotional well being. We have been working on this over the last two years.

We have asked students, parents and staff for their views on what we are doing well and what we could be doing better.

The focus on good mental health and wellbeing have set the school community to face the recent global pandemic and lockdown. This has had a profound effect on many members of our community. The support that teachers and parents received from Barnet's Educational Psychology team when we sadly lost a student, Victoria, in July helped us all to understand the grieving process.

I work with many external agencies to support families and young people. This support is crucial to keep families going who may be facing financial, housing, domestic violence, drugs and alcohol or mental health issues. Often the school is the first port of call for accessing these services.

This page is a step towards improving the information that parents have to access support and know how the school is working with their children to promote good mental health and emotional well being.

School Support available:

Mrs Stavrou (Student Support) - offering weekly sessions dealing with friendship issues, anxiety, exam stress, organisation, revision techniques with Teddy the school dog!

Mrs Tahir (Student Support)

Julie Glassman- School Counsellor (Catholic Children's Society)- offering weekly sessions for around 12 weeks. Julie is an experienced and qualified counsellor who has worked at St Michael's for 5 years. This is a confidential free service open to any student (Referrals through Head of Key Stage or Mrs Sheehy)

Jo Raingold - School Counsellor. This is a confidential free service open to any student (Referrals through Head of Key Stage or Mrs Sheehy)

Jackie Sambrook - School nurse providing a drop in session at lunchtime on first Tuesday of each month.

Good advice for looking after teenagers mental health

Social Media Mental Health

The Medical in Virtual: A guide to Social Media and Mental Health