Wellbeing and Mental Health Support
At St Catherine's College, we are committed to supporting the wellbeing and mental health of our students, their families and our staff. We understand that life's challenges can affect how we feel both at school and at home. We are proud to have a dedicated Wellbeing team who works together to offer a wide variety of support. You may be unsure what to do, who to ask, or it may be difficult to share your concerns - please be assured that we can help by listening, offering guidance, and working with you to ensure that you, or the person of concern, feels safe and supported.
Below, you will find guidance and useful resources to access support from our dedicated staff as well as via external agencies.
Where to get help in school for students and families
In addition to subject teachers and our Lay Chaplain, Rev. David Garratt, each student has a dedicated tutor, head of year and assistant head of year. This pastoral team get to know their students really well and are always available to listen and provide support. Students can send a Microsoft Teams message, email staff or scan the QR code in the back of their diary to raise any concerns.
We encourage parents, carers or guardians to ask for help whenever they need it too.
Whether you or your family are dealing with bereavement, low self-esteem, anxiety, relationship troubles or any other concerns, we are here to listen and help guide you to access the right support. To do this, we encourage you to complete the form below with as much information as possible. This is then reviewed by Mrs Guppy, our Designated Safeguarding Lead, who, with our wellbeing team, will guide you on the next steps of support you need.
Sometimes it may be appropriate to make an appointment to see your GP (doctor) if you are worried about your mental health. If you are unsure who to speak to or what to do, please contact Mrs Guppy (kguppy@stcatherines.college) or Mrs Poston (aposton@stcatherines.college).
It is normal in life to have ups and downs. Remember everyone copes in different ways, and it may take trying a few things before you find what works for you. Achieving a good school/work-life balance consists of getting the right mix of reaching your goals with also getting enough rest, sleep, relaxation and fun.
Resources that may help you:
Survivors Guide to Study aims to help you get the balance right and keep yourself mentally and physically healthy whilst studying. While target grades are important, but we believe that you, as a person, are of supreme value - the MOST important thing in the equation!
These short Head Talks videos on YouTube can help relieve short-term worries and offer useful advice on managing stress:
NHS i-Rock: i-Rock is usually a drop-in service for young people aged14+, based in Eastbourne, Newhaven and Hastings. They offer advice and support on emotional and mental wellbeing, jobs, education and housing. The i-Rock team can provide support via phone, video chat, email and text. They also go live on Instagram at 4.30pm each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
e-motion: A free online counselling project for young people aged 12-18 in East Sussex, offering confidential counselling via email or live messaging.
Young Minds: A website offering resources on various aspects of mental health specifically for young people.
Mind: Mental health charity - no one has to face mental health problems alone. There are also support services that include welfare benefits, legal services and financial support - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/
Anna Freud: National Centre for Children and Families - offers a wealth of self-care resources to prioritise of mental health and wellbeing
The National College | #WakeUpWednesday offers superb weekly guidance on a range of topics relevant to parents and young people. You can download previous resources for free as well as listen to podcasts.
parentandteen.com - a great resource for parents, carers, guardians and teenagers covering various topics with information via podcasts, videos and articles.
The National Society for the Provention of Cruelty to Children provides a wealth of support for parents and resources for young people via childline.Helpful wellbeing apps
Available via the app store on your phone, or students can use an iPad via the year team in school:
Headspace - Mediation and sleep made simple.
Breethe - Learn meditation and mindfulness.
Calm - Meditation techniques for sleep and stress reduction.
Colouring apps - for grounding and distraction
My Possible Self app - The NHS-featured mental health and wellbeing app to assist monitoring emotions
The Clue app - For monitoring periods and associated patterns of moods and emotions; helps with awareness and subsequent self-care.
Google Fit - Any suitable app will do, but having an app that keeps you accountable to take regular exercise can help boost wellbeing. Exercise is proven to have marked effects on anxiety and depression.
There is a Red box in each Year Office with free sanitary products available. Simply go, ask for it and take whatever you need.
We recognise that period poverty is a global issue, but even here in the UK, 1 in 10 girls can’t afford menstrual products, leading many to struggle in school or even miss school days as a result. Students are welcome to take whatever they need (even for the whole month) so that period poverty never becomes a barrier for any of our young people. For more information on period poverty visit Yoppie.com