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Mental Health Support Teams in Schools (MHST) are part of a national programme to reduce inequalities and increase access to mental health support for children and young people. The LPT Service works with almost 100 schools across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The teams offer support to children and young people who are experiencing:
Take a look at this short animation for more information about the team:
The team can provide techniques and strategies to children and young people, either on a direct 1:1 basis, or within school groups. MHST also work closely with parents/carers to help them understand and support their child’s mental health.
The team work collaboratively with the school’s mental health lead and senior leadership team to raise awareness and promote better mental health for everyone as part of the school’s ‘Whole School and College Approach‘.
The MHST is a multi-disciplinary team comprising Senior Clinicians, Clinicians and Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP’s) who work directly with schools, parents, children and young people. EMHPs are trained to deliver evidence-based early-interventions, which includes Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Li-CBT).
MHST staff are trained to offer a range of interventions to support children and young people:
This video talks you through the range of interventions and how MHST staff can support young people:
What is low intensity CBT?
CBT involves the EMHP working with the individual to focus on their mental health concern, in particular their thoughts and feelings, and the impact it is having on them. The EMHP will work with the young person to develop a toolkit of practical strategies and coping mechanisms to help them deal with difficult situations when they arise.
CBT is a talking therapy, based upon the understanding that thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected. It suggests that negative thoughts and feelings can trap the individual in a cycle and helps to identify ways to break that cycle.
Below is a list of schools the teams are currently active in. We’ll be adding to this list on a regular basis:
If you are based in a school in which the Mental Health Support Teams in Schools are active, you can speak to a teacher, member of school staff or mental health support lead to find out more about when they are visiting and how you can connect with the team.
Alternatively, feel free to speak directly to one of the Educational Mental Health Practitioners if you see them around school.
Head to our ‘Find Help‘ page where you can find information and contact details for a wide variety of local support services available to you.
You can find local support services linked to:
