Somerset Bridge Primary School is a Mental Health Support Team (MHST) school. This means we are committed to building a mentally healthy school environment helping all members of the school community to feel confident, resilient and independent around their mental wellbeing.

MHSTs were established nationally to improve children and young people’s early access to mental health and wellbeing services by providing support in schools. They work with children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.

Within Somerset the MHST is a jointly delivered service between Young Somerset and Somerset Foundation Trust CAMHS. It is also supported by Public Health England and the Education Psychology service. MHST staff work in collaboration with the Senior Mental Health Lead (Mrs Isabel Turner) at our School (Somerset Bridge Primary School). 

The three core functions of the MHST are:

1. To provide evidence-based Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LICBT) interventions for mild to moderate mental health and wellbeing needs to children and young people.
2. To support the Mental Health Lead in each MHST school to introduce or develop a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
3. To give timely advice and signposting to schools, and to liaise with external agencies, ensuring that children and young people and their families receive the right support at the right time.

LICBT support may be face-to-face or virtual, may involve working with parents or in a group, and will typically involve an assessment and 6-8 weekly sessions. These interventions are highly structured and delivered by mental health practitioners, who receive regular supervision with clinical supervisors.

If you would like to find out more, please speak to the Senior Mental Health Lead (SMHL) in school.

For more information about the MHST please visit: www.youngsomerset.org.uk/mhst or www.somersetft.nhs.uk/camhs/mental-health-support-in-schools-mhst/

Supporting your Child with Anxiety- MHST PowerPoint.

This PowerPoint was delivered by  Luke Deddon (MHST) in a session for parents on how to support your child at home with anxiety on 16th January 2024.  This is a useful clip to explain anxiety to children, which they will be shown in class in Mental Health Week (WB  5/2/2024).  

Anxiety