Neatherd High School: Mental Health Event on Tuesday 8th December, 6pm-7pm Dear Parents / Carers Raising awareness about Mental Health - Tuesday 8th December 6pm-7pm Statistically, three students in every class will experience a mental health problem. The vast majority of mental health concerns begin when people are of school age. Three quarters of young people with mental health problems still fear the reaction of their friends, teachers and parents. If we are to end discrimination and stigma, talking about our mental health should be as everyday and ordinary as talking about our physical health. That’s the simple message behind the Time to Change campaign that the school has been part of for over a year now. Over that period, Time to Change has run two training sessions for our staff and we have committed to organising whole school mental health awareness sessions for our students once a month. We have a fantastic counsellor in school and have worked with MAP, CAMHS and our School Nurse to support our students on many occasions. We know we still have to do more to support our young people. We would like now to take the conversation about mental health into the community and invite students, parents and staff to this important event at our school. It takes place on Tuesday, 8th December in the school canteen; it will start at 6pm and will last around an hour. There will be time afterwards to talk and link up with different agencies. The evening will include: o A presentation about what we are doing in school to raise mental health awareness and discussion around the excellent Time to Change Material. o Information and activities from the ABCD Project who work to inspire communities to be more caring and welcoming places. o We will hear from the Norfolk and Suffolk Mental Health Trust Youth Group, who have produced and excellent short film on the topic of mental health. o We are hoping to welcome professionals from CAMHS and MAP to talk about what they do and how they support people locally Light refreshments will be served. Please book your space(s) by emailing sd@neatherd.org Yours sincerely, Nick O'Brien Assistant Headteacher (Behaviour, Safety and Safeguarding)