Who are we?
Our West Essex, Children and Young People Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) are here to support many education settings in Harlow, Epping Forest and Uttlesford.Â
We help to promote positive mental health within primary, secondary and higher education settings within these areas. Our MHST service, which started in 2019, is part of the Government’s Green Paper initiative; ‘Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision’.
What do we do?
We are an ‘early intervention’ service working with children and young people with mild to moderate difficulties. For any issues that we can’t work with, we will discuss with you the most appropriate options for support.
The support that we offer is based on Low Intensity CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). We are not a counselling service, but again, we would offer suggestions for appropriate services if these will be a better option.
Primary Schools:
In primary schools we focus on child anxiety or challenging behaviour which is seen mostly outside the school environment. This work is carried out with the parent/caregiver. These interventions are for ages 4-11. Please note, we do not work with children individually, only parents.
In collaboration with schools, we deliver a variety of groups/workshops to whole classes and small groups of children. Groups such as:
- Brain Buddies course for years 4, 5 and 6. Brain Buddies is an emotional regulation course which teaches children to recognise emotions and develop skills to tackle big feelings in their lives.
- Emotion Explorers for years 1 and 2. This is similar to Brain Buddies but the content is suitable for young children
- Friendship Group, this is for year 2 upwards and looks at how to start and maintain healthy, respectful relationships.
Secondary Schools/Colleges:
In secondary schools and colleges we focus on adolescent anxiety and low mood and we work directly with the young person.
We also deliver a variety of groups that help students understand and manage their emotions. We work with schools to deliver the groups they see as being most beneficial for their students.
How can I access your service?
We have teams working across Harlow, Epping Forest and Uttlesford Districts.
Each team is commissioned to work with a limited number of education settings and we can ONLY accept referrals if your child attends a school signed up to the MHST programme.
Please speak to the Mental Health Lead in your setting as they will also be able to make a referral for you.  Schools we are in partnership with are:
Uttlesford:
Primary
Chrishall Primary School
Clavering Primary SchoolÂ
Debden CofE Primary AcademyÂ
Dunmow St Marys Primary School
Elsenham PrimaryÂ
Felsted Primary School
Great Chesterford CoE Primary Academy
Hatfield Heath Primary School
Henham & Ugley Primary and Nursery School
Katherine Semar Infant and Junior Schools (SW)
Magna Carta Primary Academy (Stansted)
Manuden Primary School
Newport Primary School (Newport)
R A Butler Primary School
Rose Acres (Takeley)
St Mary’s CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School(SW)
St Marys CofE Foundation Primary School (Stansted)
St Thomas More Catholic Primary School (SW)
Thaxted Primary School
Secondary
Saffron Walden County High School
Joyce Frankland Academy Newport
Helena Romanes School
Forest Hall School Stansted
Harlow:
Primary
Abbotsweld Primary School
Churchgate CofE Primary School
Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and Nursery
The Downs Primary School
Fawbert & Barnard Primary School
Freshwaters Academy
Hare Street Community Primary School & Nursery
Harlowbury Primary School
Henry Moore Primary School
Holy Cross Catholic Primary Academy
Jerounds Primary Academy
Katherines Academy
Kingsmoor Academy
Little Parndon Primary Academy
Longwood Primary Academy
Milwards Primary School
Newhall Primary School
Potter Street Academy
Purford Green Primary School St Albans Primary School
St. James’ CofE Primary School
St Luke’s Primary School
Pear Tree Mead Academy
Pemberley Academy Tanys Dell Primary School
Waterlane Primary Academy
William Martin CofE Junior, Infant and Nursery School
Secondary
BMAT Stem Academy
Passmores Academy
Sir Frederick Gibberd College
St Marks West Essex Catholic School
Stewards Academy
Burnt Mill Academy
Harlow College
Mark Hall Academy
Epping:
Primary
Chipping Ongar Primary School
Coopersale and Theydon Garnon CofE Primary School
Dr Walkers CofE Primary School
Epping Forest Primary
Hereward Primary School
High Beech CofE Primary School
High Ongar Primary School
Hillhouse CofE Primary School
Ivy Chimney’s primary School
Leverton Primary School
Limes Farm Infant School and Nursery
Limes Farm Junior School
Matching Green Primary School
Nazeing Primary School
Ongar primary School
Roydon Primary School
St Andrews Primary School
St Johns CofE Primary School
St John Fisher Catholic Primary School
Stapleford Abbotts Primary School
Staples Primary School
The Alderton Junior School
Thomas Willingale Primary School and Nursery
Upshire Primary Foundation School
Waltham Holy Cross Primary School
White Bridge Primary School
Secondary
Davenant Foundation School
Debden Park High School
Epping St John’s CofE School
King Harold Business & Enterprise Academy
New City College
Roding Valley High School
The Ongar Academy
West Hatch High School
More information
If you would like more information, then please email the team at:
mhsteppingforest@mindinwestessex.org.uk
mhstharlow@mindinwestessex.org.ukÂ
mhstuttlesford@mindinwestessex.org.uk
Meet the staff – click the link to access your local Mental Health Support Team’s details.
Training Academy
Our Training Academy website offers a number of interactive courses to help you learn how to manage your mental health and provide support for others.
Side by Side
Side by Side is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. We all know what it's like to struggle sometimes, but now there's a safe place to listen.
Connect with people who experience struggles at times
Counselling
Our highly qualified therapists have a range of specialities and approaches as we know it is not one size fits all.