What are the Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs)?

The Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in Somerset are  a partnership between Young Somerset and Somerset CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).

The Mental Health Support Team work in educational settings across the county, supporting children and young people aged  5 to 16 with their mental health and wellbeing. Our primary goal is to make sure that children, young people and their families receive timely help when they need it. We also aim to build resilience by equipping children, young people and their families with  tools and strategies to use now and in the future, enabling young people to fully engage in their education.

We provide  support for mild to moderate mental health concerns. Low Intensity-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LI-CBT) is most effective when mental health changes first begin to emerge. Signs that a  young person may be experiencing changes in their mental health include:

• Becoming  more withdrawn or feel low
• Seeking reassurance more frequently
• Losing interest in activities  they used to enjoy
• Excessive worrying
• Repeating  certain activities or behaviours that are not helpful to them

This list is not exhaustive. For more information on potential signs of mental health issues in young people, please refer to the NHS website.

What is Low Intensity-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LI-CBT)?

Low Intensity-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a therapeutic  approach that addresses the difficulties a young person is facing by exploring the connections between their thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Understanding these connections is key to addressing the problem. Low Intensity-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps young people develop a toolkit of strategies and learn new ways to manage  difficult situations.

This approach is collaborative, meaning  young people actively participate in their therapy. They regularly take ideas or strategies from their sessions and apply them at home and at school.

Our Team

Trainee and Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs)

• Deliver 1:1 and group work through evidence-based  (Low Intensity-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) interventions for children and young people with mild to moderate mental health issues.
• Work closely with parents and carers, either individually or in groups, to build their confidence and skills in supporting their child’s mental health.
• Support the Mental Health Lead in each education setting to develop or further enhance, a whole-school approach to emotional health wellbeing.
• Offer timely guidance to children, young people and their families, empowering them to access appropriate support and resources.

Senior Mental Health Practitioners (SMHPs)

• Support Education Mental Health Practitioners through Clinical Supervision.
• Manage a caseload of more complex cases.
• Attend consultation meetings in schools.

Whole School Approach Practitioners (WSAPs)

• Implement a co-ordinated Whole School Approach (WSA) to promote emotional wellbeing across educational settings.
• Deliver non-clinical groups and assemblies.
• Facilitate parent groups, including ‘Tuning into Teens’ and ‘Tuning into Kids’.

Mental Health Leads (MHL) in Schools

• Coordinate all the referrals within the school.
• Coordinate consultation meetings.

The Mental Health Support Team work in collaboration with Educational Psychologists, Public Health and Exeter University.

Young Somerset also employ Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners (CWPs), who deliver the same interventions in non- Mental Health Support Team schools across Somerset. They can be accessed using the Young Somerset website.

CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) also offer a range of additional services which can be accessed on the CAMHS website.

Waiting lists

The Mental Health Support Team is not a crisis service, and there is a waiting list to access support. If you have any further questions about our processes, please phone 01823 368481 or email mhstadmin@somersetft.nhs.uk. The phoneline and inbox are monitored between 9am and 5pm.

For urgent concerns, please contact the following services:

• Mindline – A  24/7 phoneline offering support and advice to all ages. Phone  01823 276 892 or 0800 138 1692
• Your local GP or NHS helpline (phone 111)
• Samaritans – Phone 116 123
• In an emergency – Dial 999 or visit your local A&E department

Please see other services and resources on our CAMHS Resources page.

Type of provision

Universal - This is for everyone, including people with special educational needs and disabilities