Misterton Primary School can add to its sensory garden thanks to a donation to a children’s mental health charity

Helen Cousin with Year Four pupils from Misterton Primary School

Helen founded ‘Help Me, I’m Fine’, which provides training courses in primary schools to help teachers identify children who are unhappy, worried or suicidal after her 16-year-old daughter, Maisie, took her own life in 2017.

She has also published a book, ‘The Knot’, to help primary school children understand how to cope with their feelings, with all profits going back into the charity.

Now she has become the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

In a personal letter to Helen, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of your strength after losing your daughter, Maisie, and how through ‘Help Me, I’m fine’, you are supporting the emotional health of children in primary schools."

Helen said: "It is an honour to be chosen for the Points of Light award. After losing my beautiful 16-year-old daughter, Maisie, to suicide in 2017, our lives were turned upside down.

“Thanks to the support of my family, friends and our amazing community, I have been able to turn our tragedy into something that will hopefully encourage others to speak out about their mental health.

"In just over two years, 'Help Me, I'm Fine' has raised £35,000 to support schools with THRIVE approach training, giving our children the tools they need to self regulate and get through life's difficult transitions."

Thrive, a business which works with schools and other organisations to help children become more emotionally resilient, has also donated £500 to the charity which will be used to buy colourful plants and flowers for a sensory garden at Misterton Primary School, where Helen is a teaching assistant ahead of its opening on April 22.

The donation was handed over to mark Children’s Mental Health Week and to highlight the importance of supporting children and young people with their mental health.