Mental health - time to talk assemblies

Mental Health - Time to Talk has been the theme in both the assemblies and the Character & Culture sessions this week throughout all year groups. 

The free NHS online counselling and emotional well-being website, 'Kooth', has been introduced to all pupils. The service is funded by the National Lottery and provides free, safe and anonymous online support for young people.  Developed especially for children and young people, the platform is accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop. 

The site is staffed by a wide variety of qualified counsellors who are available Monday - Fridays 12pm-10pm and Saturday / Sundays 6pm - 10pm. It is available for young people aged 11-25. 

How does Kooth work?
 
It's an online counselling service, where you enter the chat waiting room, then you get to chat with a counsellor 1:1, it's set up almost identical to MSN or Facebook chat. You can also use message boards, forums, play games, and set up your own blog page. Kooth counsellors are real-life trained mental health professionals,and have details of their qualifications on their own 'About me' boxes, so you can choose which you think would suit you. Kooth also liaises with mental health services, if you are already seeing a counsellor in real-life, then they may ask permission from your counsellor to work with you.
 
We would like all pupils to go on to the website https://www.togetherforchildren.org.uk/children-and-young-people/kooth and familiarise themselves with what is available, in case they need it now or in the future, or if they know someone else who needs help.