Support for Children, Young People, Parents and Carers

 

At St Michael's we are pleased to work with the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) in Calderdale, also known as Open Minds, delivered by Northpoint.

MHST provides early mental health support for children and young people, alongside a wide range of free support for parents and carers.

This support is designed to help with emotional wellbeing, anxiety, low mood, behaviour, sleep, neurodiversity and everyday challenges that families may face.

🌱 Digital Mental Health Support – SilverCloud

Through MHST, families can access SilverCloud, a free, online mental health platform based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles.

SilverCloud programmes are available for both young people (aged 14+) and parents/carers, and can be completed at your own pace, in your own time.

Available programmes include:

• Supporting an anxious child or teen (parents/carers)
• Supporting a child with ADHD (parents/carers)
• Supporting an autistic child or teen (parents/carers)
• Space from anxiety (young people aged 14+)
• Space from low mood (young people aged 14+)
• Living well with ADHD (young people aged 14+)
• Living well as an autistic teen (young people aged 14+)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Online Workshops for Parents and Carers

MHST also offers free online workshops for parents and carers, delivered by Northpoint via Microsoft Teams. These sessions provide practical advice and strategies to support children’s mental health and wellbeing.

Upcoming workshops include:

• Supporting Transition – 18 March 2026 (6–7pm)
• Understanding Difficult Behaviours – 15 April 2026 (6–7pm)
• Supporting Sleep – 13 May 2026 (6–7pm)
• Understanding Social Media – 24 June 2026 (6–7pm)

📧 To request booking links, please email:
centralservices.calderdale@northpoint.org.uk

(Please note: places are limited.)

🎥 Recorded Workshops and Training (Anytime Access)

Northpoint also provides a range of recorded parent workshops and training videos, which can be accessed at any time.

These are ideal if you are unable to attend live sessions or would like to revisit topics at your own pace.

👉 Visit the Northpoint YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@northpoint3547

💬 Kooth – Free Online Mental Health Support (Ages 10–25)

Young people can also access Kooth, a free, confidential online mental health service available 24/7.

Kooth offers:

• Self‑help tools
• One‑to‑one support from trained professionals
• Moderated peer support forums
• No referrals and no waiting lists

👉 Access Kooth here:
https://www.kooth.com/

 

🏥 School Nursing Support

School nurses provide support for children and young people aged 5–19 (or up to 25 for those with SEND).

ChatHealth – confidential text service:

• Young people: Text 07480 635297
• Parents/carers: Text 07507 332157

This service allows families to ask questions and receive advice discreetly and easily.

🤝 Support in School

MHST Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) will continue to visit school to work face‑to‑face with children and young people, alongside the wide range of digital support available.

In addition, Mrs Westby, our Learning Mentor, is always on hand in school to support children, young people, parents and carers. She can offer guidance, a listening ear, and help signpost families to the most appropriate support where needed.

If you would like advice about accessing any of the support above, please contact us — we are always happy to help and work together to support your child’s wellbeing.