To ensure students receive the most appropriate support, please see below a summary of the mental health services available within the academy.

1. Compass Mental Health Support Team (MHST)

Purpose: Early intervention and low-intensity mental health support.

Suitable for students experiencing:

• Mild to moderate anxiety
• Difficulties with emotional regulation
• Low mood
• Worries impacting school life

Support provided:

• Short-term interventions
• Strategies to manage emotions and anxiety
• Building resilience and coping skills

Best for: Students who require additional support but whose mental health needs are not significantly impacting their daily functioning.

2. Place2Be Specialist Intervention

Purpose: Targeted support for students experiencing more significant mental health concerns.

Suitable for students experiencing:

• Self-harm
• Suicidal thoughts or ideation
• High levels of anxiety
• Persistent low mood
• Emotional difficulties significantly affecting daily life, attendance, learning, or relationships

Support provided:

• Up to 12 weeks of specialist intervention
• Regular sessions with a qualified Mental Health Practitioner
• Goal-focused therapeutic support

Best for: Students whose mental health difficulties are causing significant distress or impacting day-to-day functioning.

3. Place2Talk

Purpose: Immediate emotional support and a safe space to talk.

Suitable for students who:

• Have become suddenly overwhelmed
• Need an outlet to discuss current worries
• Would benefit from brief emotional support

Support provided:

• Self-referral service
• 30-minute appointments
• Student-led discussions around current concerns

Important:

• Students can access a maximum of five sessions per academic year
• This is not a therapy service and is not intended for ongoing or complex mental health needs

Best for: Students requiring short-term emotional support or someone to talk to during difficult periods.

4. Counselling

Purpose: Therapeutic support for students experiencing emotional difficulties linked to life events and circumstances.

Suitable for students experiencing difficulties related to:

• Bereavement
• Parental separation
• Family illness
• Friendship difficulties
• Family breakdown
• Other significant life events

Support provided:

• Confidential talking therapy
• Opportunity to explore feelings and experiences in depth
• Development of coping strategies and emotional resilience

Referral priority is given to students whose emotional wellbeing has been affected by environmental or situational factors.

Best for: Students needing longer-term support to process difficult experiences or changes in their lives.

Which Service Should I Consider?

Mild anxiety/emotional regulation difficulties? ➡️ Compass MHST

Self-harm, suicidal thoughts, significant anxiety or mental health difficulties? ➡️ Place2Be Specialist Intervention

Student needs someone to talk to today and is feeling overwhelmed? ➡️ Place2Talk

Emotional distress linked to bereavement, family circumstances or life events? ➡️ Counselling

If you are unsure which pathway is most appropriate, please discuss with the Safeguarding or Wellbeing Team before making a referral. Our aim is to ensure students access the right support at the right time.

External Contacts

• Kooth
• Young Minds
• Forward Thinking Birmingham