A FLINTSHIRE high school that signed up to an innovative programme designed to help students with their mental wellbeing says it has been a huge success.

It is the second time that Flint High School has worked with Action for Children whose cognitive behavioural therapy-based Blues Programme aims to reduce the signs of adolescent low mood and negative thoughts and encourage prevention.

Having previously seen the positive results from supporting Year 9 students through the programme earlier this year, the school was keen to offer it to sixth form students.

A group of seven Year 12 students took part in weekly one-hour group sessions designed to build group rapport and trust, learning cognitive restructuring techniques to help change the way they think about potentially stressful situations, as well as a range of coping strategies.

Lauren Ashton and Kaz Hughes from Action for Children delivered the programme and provided students with handouts, a handbook and at the end of the six-week period, a mental health first aid pack signposting them to other help and support if they should need it in the future.

By keeping a mood diary, students were able to identify their personal stress triggers and overcome them by applying the techniques they had learned.

Mrs Hughes said: “It has been lovely to work with this group. They have been so open and relaxed with each other and we have seen them building in confidence over the six weeks.

“At week one they set out their own goals which they hand in and get back at the end of the programme. It is fantastic to see that they have all now reached them.”

The internationally-acclaimed six-week course is funded by Royal Mail and delivered by trained Action for Children ‘Blues’ specialists and, so far, the charity quotes that 70 per cent of pupils who have taken part in 97 schools across the UK have shown an improvement in their mental health and emotional wellbeing, with a specific decrease in depression.

Helen Jones, the schools Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) coordinator, organised for the programme to be delivered at the school and has been impressed with the outcomes on both occasions.

She said: “We as a school have got to be leading and demonstrating that talking about mental health is not a taboo and can only lead to helping students and young people.”

“Mental health is a growing issue in children and young people, and I am aware that around one in 10 children suffer from mental health issues, ranging from depression and anxiety to suicidal thoughts. I am not sure whether schools are fully prepared to deal with rising mental health issues, but we are doing all that we can to identify those most at risk and take preventive action.

“Initiatives such as the Blues Programme are vital in supporting students. It has been an inspirational and invaluable experience from which our students have gained confidence and flourished.”

Mrs Jones added that the school was lucky to have Emily Parkyn in school, a highly experienced and trained counsellor who sees every student, including sixth formers, on a one to one basis and devises a personalised support plan for those who need it.

She helps identify and find solutions to any concerns, anxieties or other potential barriers to learning that students might experience.

Two of the sixth forms students who took part are Youssef Rhoumibellouti and Joshua Price.

Youssef said: “The Blues Programme has made me so much more confident. One of the best things has been talking to the rest of the group and learning that you are not on your own with the thoughts and feelings you have.”

Joshua added: “I study music and recently had a performance which I was really panicking about. These sessions made me stop and ask myself why I am feeling like this.

“I was able to change how I thought about the performance through what I have learned in this group and I felt much better. The programme has also motivated me with my studies and I feel much happier in myself.”