Letter to the editor Barnardo’s launches mental health support for pupils and their teachers

At Barnardo’s we see the daily impact the pandemic and school closures have on children, which is why we have launched a website with advice for teachers on supporting pupils’ mental health.

We work with children grieving for lost parents and grandparents, those who are struggling with increased anxiety and loneliness away from school support and those who are living in very challenging homes where they may be domestic violence and other forms of abuse.

We also understand that teachers are under enormous pressure, whether that’s teaching online or providing face to face lessons for vulnerable children and those with key worker parents.

Teachers are used to picking up signs that their pupils are in distress, but this is currently much more challenging. Teachers are under immense strain managing their own experiences, while also coping with the impact of secondary trauma through supporting others.

That’s why our Barnardo’s Education Community website provides support and advice so teachers can look after their own wellbeing while also helping pupils cope with grief, bereavement or trauma. The website www.educators-barnardos.org.uk  is funded by the Westminster Foundation and also encourages teachers to share best practice.

It follows Barnardo’s previous launch of two support services, See Hear Respond and Boloh which allow any family in Wales worried about the pandemic to ask for practical help, therapeutic support or counselling.

Children and families can refer themselves or be referred by professionals.  See Hear Respond (phone 0800 157 7015 or visit 

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/see-hear-respond-net) is open to all. The Boloh helpline (0800 151 2605 or visit https://helpline.barnardos.org.uk) is aimed at the particular issues facing Black, Asian and minority ethnic families.

Meinir Williams-Jones

Assistant Director,

Barnardo’s Cymru