Mental Health Schools (MHST)

Somerset’s Mental Health Support Team (MHST) works in partnership with Haygrove School to provide early, accessible mental health and wellbeing support for our students. Their aim is to help young people manage worries, build resilience, and access the right help at the right time.

Who Are Somerset’s Mental Health Support Team?

Somerset’s MHST is a specialist team made up of:

• Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs)
• Supervising clinicians
• Senior mental health professionals

They work directly with schools to support children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.

MHSTs are part of a national programme designed to improve access to early mental health support and reduce waiting times for young people who need help.

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Why Do We Have MHST?

MHST was created to:

• Increase access to early mental health and wellbeing support
• Provide evidence‑based interventions within school settings
• Work alongside school staff to identify needs early
• Reduce escalation to specialist services where possible
• Support whole‑school approaches to mental health

At Haygrove, MHST works closely with the Wellbeing Team, Heads of Year, and the Senior Mental Health Lead to ensure students receive timely, appropriate support.

What Do MHST Do? (Their Core Functions)

MHSTs has three main functions:

2. Deliver Evidence‑Based Interventions
   1. Support for mild to moderate mental health needs, including:
      1. Anxiety
      2. Low mood
      3. Worry
      4. Behavioural difficulties
      5. Emotional regulation

2. Support the School’s Whole‑School Approach
   1. Helping Haygrove promote positive mental health through:
      1. Workshops
      2. Assemblies
      3. Staff training
      4. Parent information sessions

3. Provide Advice and Signposting
   1. Guidance for school staff and families on where to seek additional help if needed.

How MHST Works With Haygrove

• MHST practitioners visit school regularly
• They work 1:1 or in small groups with students using Low‑Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LiCBT)
• They collaborate with the Wellbeing Team, Heads of Year, and SENCO
• They provide early intervention to prevent difficulties from escalating
• They support whole‑school mental health initiatives

What Is LiCBT?

Low‑Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LiCBT) is a structured, practical approach used by MHST practitioners to help young people:

• Understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are linked
• Learn strategies to manage anxiety, low mood, and worry
• Build confidence and coping skills
• Set goals and track progress

LiCBT is short‑term, focused, and designed to empower young people with tools they can use independently.

How to Make a Referral

There are two ways to access MHST support:

2. Through the School (Recommended)
   1. Parents, carers, or staff can request support via the Wellbeing Team.
   2. Contact the Wellbeing Team 
   3. The Senior Mental Health Lead will review the referral and decide whether MHST is the right pathway.

2. Self‑Referral (Available from September)
   1. Young people and parents will be able to refer directly to MHST.
   2. Self‑Referral to MHST

Parent & Carer Wellbeing Toolkit

Advice for parents and carers