World Health Organisation, 2014: ‘Poor mental health is when a person experiences significant disturbances in the way they think, feel or cope with every day situations. To be defined as mental health these changes are extreme and impact on how the individual may function’.
The Mental Health Continuum
The mental health continuum is a range having mental health and mental illness at the two extreme ends. Depending on the internal and external faculties of a person at any time, they can lie at one point of the continuum and shift position as the situation improves or deteriorates.
An individual’s mental health is dynamic and not fixed. It can be dependent on circumstances, character, experiences and genetics.
Arnold Hill Spencer Academy is committed to ensure students are well supported throughout their journey and that parents are signposted to services that are appropriate.
Meet the Team




Resources
Combined Minds is an app developed for teenage mental health charity stem4 by Dr. Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, to help families and friends support young people with their mental health.
When a child or young person has a diagnosed mental health condition, families and friends want to support them in the best way but also know when to step back. Combined Minds uses a ‘Strengths-Based’ Approach which has been shown to be effective in recovery. This approach focusses on the positive attributes of the person and builds on resourcefulness and resilience.
Combined Minds helps families and friends to find ways to provide the right environment to help the individuals they support affect their own change. As important influencers in the lives of young people, this provides positive impact on their mental health.
Headspace
Headspace was started with one mission: to improve the health and happiness of the world.
Through science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools, Headspace helps you create life-changing habits to support your mental health and find a healthier, happier you.
Calm Harm
The urge to self-harm is like a wave.
It feels the most powerful when you start wanting to do it.
Learn to ride the wave with the free Calm Harm app using these activities:
Comfort, Distract, Express Yourself, Release, Random and Breathe.
When you ride the wave, the urge to self-harm will fade.
Calm Harm is an award-winning app developed for teenage mental health charity stem4 by Dr Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, using the basic principles of an evidence-based therapy called Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).
Calm Harm provides tasks to help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm. You can make it private by setting a password, and personalise the app if you so wish. You will be able to track your progress and notice change.
Please note the app is an aid in treatment but does not replace it.
Counselling Support
COUNSELLING SERVICES |
IMARA
Family, Individual, Creative (Drama, Art, Music, Play etc), child sexual abuse T: 0800 183 0023 |
Winston’s Wish
Bereavement/ Grief (individual and group) W: Bereavement Support Services | Winston’s Wish (winstonswish.org) T: 08088 020 021 |
Child Bereavement Centre
Bereavement/ Grief (individual: Nottingham-based) E: info@childrensbereavementcentre.co.uk W: Make A Referral | Children’s Bereavement Centre (childrensbereavementcentre.co.uk) T: 01636 551739 |
Child Bereavement UK
Bereavement/ Grief (phone, online or messenger regular sessions) E: helpline@childbereavementuk.org W: How we can support you | Child Bereavement UK T: 0800 02 888 40 |
CASY
General Counselling Services T: 01636 704 620 |
Base 51
General Counselling Services & LGBT group (Outburst) T: 0115 9525040 |
Harmless
Self-harm, Bereavement from Suicide, Crisis, family and friends affected (1:1) |
CAMHS
Individual, Family, General, Specific Teams: Eating Disorders, Crisis, Looked After or Adopted Children, Paediatric Liason Support, Substance Misuse etc. E: See website (dependant on area lived in) W: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) (nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk) |
First Steps
Eating Disorders (Individual and family support) W: How to get help – First Steps ED T: 01332 367 571 |
The Mix
See The Mix for services near you: |
SUPPORT SERVICES |
Childline
1-2-1 counsellor support by phone, email or online chat (see following details), information/ parent support, toolbox resources for young people’s mental health (Sign up/ create an account to access support) W: Contacting Childline | Childline T: 0800 1111 |
Youngminds
Information and support for young people and parents, including text chat (for young people) and helpline option for parents E: How To Contact YoungMinds | YoungMinds W: YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds T: 020 7089 5050 Text YM to 85258 |
Kooth
Articles, discussion boards, journalling resource, chat option for general support (sign up required). W: Home – Kooth T: 0203 984 9337 Via the app for chat option (sign up required) |
Hopeline UK
Under 35’s who are suicidal or having suicidal thoughts ; family, friends, educators etc also able to call for support as well as those who are bereaved from suicide. W: HOPELINEUK – Papyrus UK | Suicide Prevention Charity (papyrus-uk.org) Text: 7860039967 |
The Samaritans
1-2-1 counsellor support by phone, email or online chat (see following details), information about suicide and support for those affected, self-help app. W: Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen T: 116 123 |
SHOUT
Text support for mental health, online information/ support for a variety of student needs (e.g. LGBTQ+, autism, deaf) and parent support. W: Free, 24/7 mental health text support in the UK | Shout 85258 (giveusashout.org) Text: SHOUT to 85258 |
Mermaids
Information/ parent support for LGBTQ+ topics, Helpline support (phone, text, webchat, email) W: Contact us – Mermaids (mermaidsuk.org.uk) T: 0808 801 0400 Text MERMAIDS to 85258 |
Harmless
Information about self-harm (e.g. how to help, when to go to the GP etc) and support for those struggling and their friends/ family. |
The Mix
1-2-1 counsellor support for under 25’s by phone, text, or crisis messenger. Information, discussion boards, apps/ tools, services search bar and news also offered. E: https://www.themix.org.uk/about-us/contact-us W: The Mix – Essential support for under 25s T: 0808 808 4994 Text THEMIX to 85258 |