If you are concerned about your child's emotional well-being please do contact your child's class teacher.

Please find some useful information below about support for emotional well-being 

Tips on staying well

• Preparing for winter: MIND has some useful tips on how to adapt your routine.
• Connect with others: Stay connected via email, social media, video calling and telephone. If you haven’t got  anyone to talk to or you are struggling, you can call emotional support lines like the NHS volunteer service who provide a ‘check in and chat’ service call 0808 196 3646 or one of the helplines below.
• Be active: Our physical health affects how we feel. Visit www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise for information and advice.
• Take notice and focus on the present: Find out more about being mindful on the NHS website.
• Stick to the facts and limit your news intake. Do not stay glued to the news. And when you do check, use trustworthy sources such as GOV.UK or NHS.
• Have a routine. Wake up and go to bed at healthy times, get enough sleep. Include time to relax. For tips on sleep visit Every Mind Matters.
• Do something you enjoy and keep your mind active. Find something of value in your day and do something for yourself (watch a favourite programme, do crosswords, art and crafts, cooking, gardening, reading a book)
• Work and finance, You might be worried about money, have lost your job or are concerned you might become unemployed – these issues can have a big impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Visit the Every Mind Matters website for tips and advice on coping with money worries and job uncertainty during COVID-19.
• Looking after a child or young person. The past few months have been hard on everyone, including our kids. Find tips on supporting children or young people at Every Mind Matters. 

If you need to speak to someone, you can text or call:

• SANEline: visit sane.org.uk, leave a message on 07984 967 708 giving your first name and a contact number or email support@sane.org.uk
• Samaritans: visit www.samaritans.org or call 116 123. You can also email jo@samaritans.org
• Shout Crisis Text line: text Shout to 85258
• CALM: visit thecalmzone.net. Calm is for men in the UK who need to talk or find information and support. They are open 5pm - midnight, 365 days a year. Call 0800 58 58 58
• Young Minds: visit www.youngminds.org.uk or call the parents helpline 0808 802 5544

• Age UK: visit www.ageuk.org.uk or call 0800 678 1602 (8am-7pm)

• Every Mind Matters: visit www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters

• Heads Up for men's mental health: visit www.thisisheads-up.uk

• Five ways to wellbeing: visit www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/5waysmk

• MIND: visit www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing

• Our Frontline – support for frontline workers. Visit www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/ourfrontline or text: FRONTLINE to 85258 or call 116 123 for a conversation with a trained volunteer 

• National Debt Line – free and independent advice. Call 0808 808 4000 9am - 8pm Monday - Friday or visit www.nationaldebtline.org

Accessing local support when you're struggling

• Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service: A range of confidential talking therapies and specialist support. Visit bedfordshirewellbeingservice.nhs.uk. Call: 01234 880400 or email elt-tr.bedfordiapt@nhs.net. Email is quicker than calling at the moment.

Domestic abuse: if you’re feeling unsafe, support is available

Household isolation instructions as a result of coronavirus do not apply if you need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse. Support is available, both locally and nationally, to anyone who is experiencing abusive behaviour: you are not alone.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. You can also visit the Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership website for more information about local and national support for all affected by domestic abuse, including men, children and young people, older people and people from the LGBT+ community. If you’re in immediate danger, always dial 999.