At Safety Net, we work closely with schools to support young people who are experiencing challenges with their mental health and wellbeing. Every student’s journey is different, but with the right support, they can learn strategies to manage their feelings, feel more confident, and thrive both in and out of the classroom.

This case study shares Poppy’s story – how she worked with our Schools Project to build coping skills, understand her responses, and feel more in control of her school experience.

Poppy, a Year 12 student, was referred to Safety Net’s Schools Project by her Head of Year due to ongoing difficulties with anxiety and low mood. At the time, she was tearful, easily overwhelmed, and struggling with daily changes at school. Poppy and her parents were also exploring a possible autism diagnosis with support from their GP. 

Following an initial assessment, sessions focused on psychoeducation, grounding techniques, coping strategies, and providing a safe space to talk. Poppy responded well to a relationship-based approach, and her confidence grew with consistency and familiarity. She engaged with a range of tools, including therapy putty, fidgets, breathing techniques, and worksheets like the Anxiety Toolkit. Resources were also shared so that she could explore them at home with her family. 

We worked closely with the school to support Poppy’s needs. With her input, small adjustments were made to her learning environment, which gave her more autonomy and helped reduce anxiety in class. Regular communication with school staff, including the Head of Year and Designated Safeguarding Lead, helped ensure a joined-up approach. 

Poppy attended 10 sessions, plus the initial assessment. Some sessions were extended to accommodate her heightened anxiety when returning to school, especially as changes in routine, location, and staff had a significant impact. In her final session, we reviewed progress together, and all her scores had reduced. While the score changes were modest, Poppy reported feeling more in control and better able to understand her responses. Her advocacy score showed the biggest improvement, reflecting her growing ability to communicate her needs. 

Poppy said the sessions helped her understand how past trauma may be influencing her present-day experiences. She valued the science-based explanations and said they helped reduce self-blame. She also gained insight into how her brain processes information and how changes to her environment could help her manage anxiety more effectively.