Mental health help in Tameside schools

A new mental health service has started operating in 22 Tameside schools.

Former PE teacher, Hayden Roters, leads the program alongside two other men - all of whom are a part of the Healthy Hyde Primary Care Network team.

Intervention sessions run during the school day - covering social, emotional and physical wellbeing for students.

Hayden said: "We're three late-20s lads so straight away some of the kids build that rapport a lot quicker and, with the whole 'stick' around male mental health, I think it helps them to feel more comfortable in opening up to us."

The team recently helped a child, who said they had 'felt happy to speak freely and express [their] emotions'.

He added that in his previous role, focusing on physical health in a school setting, he had noticed many links between levels of fitness and the mental health of those in his care.

He also felt that 'the academic side' is often prioritised within many schools and education on well-being is 'pushed aside'.

A staff member from a local school said: “Teachers are sometimes reluctant to allow children to take breaks from the structured curriculum, however, have found Hayden's input very beneficial in the children being more enthusiastic in their approach to learning.“

Hayden added: "The CAHMS waiting list is currently around two years," Hayden continued.

"We offer our services to bridge that gap - and some of them will spend time with us, then by the time an appointment with CAHMS opens up they are in a different place after our intervention and don't even need that input."

Support is offered for anyone between the ageof five, when they're just learning to understand emotions, right through to 16, where more complex situations may arise.

Hayden said there have been some instances where they will provide their service for a child throughout their primary education and will then move on up to high school with them to help with the settling in process.