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Mental Health & Wellbeing

At Harris Academy Morden we take great pride in the way we support and care for all members of our Academy community. Nationally, we know that the context relating to wellbeing and mental health has changed significantly and there are a growing number of adults and children who are suffering with mental health issues.

At Harris Academy Morden we aim to create an environment where all children and adults understand the importance of taking care of their emotional wellbeing which includes promoting good positive mental health. We recognise that we have an active role in protecting our students from issues which may arise surrounding mental health and self-harm. Our vision is for all students to be self-managers of their own wellbeing, having developed the tools and strategies to be able to look after their own mental health. At the same time we ensure all members of our Academy are aware that there are always people available to support them should they need additional help.

Positive-Mental-Health-Policy-2025-2026.pdf

 

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Welcome from Mrs Edwards, I am the Senior Mental Health Lead at Harris Academy Morden

As the Senior Mental Health Lead (SMHL) at HAMD, I am committed to ensuring that the emotional wellbeing of all students remains a central priority for the pastoral team. We are proud to offer the most comprehensive emotional wellbeing provision we have ever had. Our Harris Academy Morden (HAMD) student council pupils are trained mental health student champions, and Juliet Brown serves as our Bullying Ambassador. We currently have four ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants), alongside several team members who provide one to one support for pupils. 

Christian Uitzinger, our Harris Federation Lead Mental Health Practitioner, provides counselling sessions for ten pupils per week across two days. We remain part of the Wave 6 Cluster project—overseen by South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust—which gives us access to three Education Wellbeing Practitioners (EWPs) and a systemic therapist. One EWP is training in CBT-based guided self-help for pupils experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or low mood. This service now supports approximately ten HAMD pupils weekly and offers family therapy for our most vulnerable students. 

We have six trained Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA): Emily Blenkinsop, Jane Clark, Lynn Edwards, Shelley Ellaway, Kiera Patel and Julie Shepherd. Shelley and I are also trained as staff MHFAs. Finally, we are fortunate to have Pearl Buady, our proactive and highly committed school nurse. 

If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Edwards: 020 8687 1157. Ex 3710.

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 states: Where children have suffered abuse and neglect, or other potentially traumatic adverse childhood experiences, this can have a lasting impact throughout childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. It is key that staff are aware of how these children’s experiences, can impact on their mental health, behaviour, attendance and progress at school. More information can be found in the Mental health and behaviour in schools guidance, colleges may also wish to follow this guidance as best practice. Public Health England. 149 has produced a range of resources to support secondary school teachers to promote positive health, wellbeing and resilience among children. See Better Health Every Mind Matters for links to all materials and lesson plans.

Further support contact details:

HAMD-Mental-health-champion-bookletCAMHS-crisis-numbers