What is MHST?
Mental Health Support Teams in Secondary Schools (MHST) are part of a national programme to reduce inequalities and increase access to mental health support for children and young people.
YPAS MHST currently works with 20 secondary schools across Liverpool, in collaboration with partner agencies within the Education Mental Health Teams (EMHT).
The team offers support to young people who are experiencing:
- · Worries & Anxieties
- · Low Mood
- · Sleep Challenges
- · Feelings of Panic
- · Phobias (excluding needles/blood/vomit)
- · Understanding Emotions
- · Managing Stress
The team can provide techniques and strategies to young people, either on a direct 1:1 basis, or within school groups and workshops. 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 ‘Whole School and College Approach’.
Support offered YPAS MHST
MHST staff are trained to offer a range of interventions to support children and young people. We will deliver evidence-based interventions for mild-moderate mental health issues in one of the following ways:
- Individual face-to-face work: Low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LI-CBT) interventions for children, young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns based on up-to-date evidence.
- Group work: Both targeted and whole school group work tailored to identified need.
- Parenting Groups.
- Whole school approach: Including staff training, whole school assemblies, workshops, parent’s evenings and events.
- Sessions provided in education settings. If a young person is not attending school, they can be referred to a YPAS community hub for support as an alternative.
Referral criteria
MHST provides support to young people aged 11-18 years (in education) who attend one of the participating schools. MHST is an early-intervention service for children and young people who are experiencing low to moderate mental health concerns.
Referral process
If you have concerns regarding your young person’s mental health, please contact your school’s mental health lead.
Mental health concerns regarding specific young people are referred by the school’s mental health lead following discussion with the MHST team. Consent is obtained from young people and / or parents/carers prior to consultation. Advice and signposting to other appropriate services can also be provided by MHST.
