Children and young people in Epsom and Ewell are seeing the benefits of a new school-based mental health support trial, which is set to be expanded across Surrey following positive early results.
The initiative is led by our trust in partnership with emotional wellbeing organisations. Schools involved in the trial are categorised according to the needs of their students so that resources are targeted where they can make the biggest difference.
The new approach means that more children and young people are getting the right help, at the right time, within their own school environment reducing barriers to support and improving wellbeing outcomes.
“The results of this trial are very positive which is why we will now be expanding this approach across Surrey,” said Justine Leonard, Director of Children and Young People's Services. “By working in this way with schools and teaching staff we can help so many more children to access help early.”
Every school in Surrey currently has access to a dedicated mental health professional from the trust. But for schools in Epsom and Ewell additional support is provided according to need and local deprivation in the area. Schools with the highest levels of need have access to a school-based mental health team offering educational psychologists, therapists and mental health nurses.
One young person who has received mental health support at school, said: “I was in a very dark place, I was feeling suicidal. Since receiving support, I feel so much better. I understand what the triggers are for me and how to look after myself and I am able to do so many more things than I thought I could.”
The trial will be expanded to other areas of Surrey over the coming months and is being delivered by Mindworks Surrey, which provides emotional wellbeing and mental health support for children and young people across Surrey. Mindworks Surrey is led by our Trust, working in partnership with national and local voluntary sector organisations.