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Living Faith, Inspiring Learning, Shaping Futures
MENTAL HEALTH
In St. Mary's, the emotional well being of out students is an important part of out Student Care.
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Our staff encourage our young people to be resilient and help them to develop skills to cope with the issues that they may face. In life there will always be times when we feel down, stressed or frightened. Most of the time those feelings pass, but sometimes they develop into a more serious problem.
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Counselling in St. Mary’s offers young people support when they find themselves struggling to cope with psychological issues or when their academic progress is hindered due to emotional stress. A skillful programme in a secure environment is provided to equip our young people with the skills to face life’s difficulties and challenges.
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A confidential counselling service is offered to all pupils during school hours.
Students who are experiencing difficulties, either at home or at school, can confidentially make an appointment for counselling.
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Referral can be made through a pupil’s Year Head. Self-referral is also an option.
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We encourage parents/guardians to keep the school informed of any issues their may be happening at home to ensure the school can support the child in any way that they can.
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TELEPHONE HELPLINES
Lifeline
Crisis response line for people in stress or despair
Depression Mental health Suicidal thoughts
0808 800 8000
Childline
Childline will provide support and guidance on multiple topics including:
Bullying You and your body Home and Family Relationships Sex School
0800 1111
The MIX
Crisis messenger text service
Alcohol Homelessness Suicidal thoughts General advice Mental health Sex/ relationships
0808 808 4994
NSPCC
Advice on child protection issues and somewhere to report concerns
Child abuse Child protection
0808 800 5000
Aware
Aware are a mental health charity working exclusively for those with depression and mental health concerns
Depression Bipolar disorder
0845 1202961
Frank
Confidential advice on drugs
Alcohol Drugs
0300 123 6600
SIMON Community
Support for individuals and families who are at risk of becoming homeless
Homelessness Housing
0800 171 2222
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Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline
Advice for anyone affected by domestic and sexual violence
Domestic violence Sexual violence
0808 021414
Cara-Friend/ LGBT Switchboard NI
Support and counselling for the Gay, Lesbian and Transgender communities
LGBTQ+ advice Sex and relationship advice
0808 800 0390
Women’s Aid
Specialist services for women, children and young people who have experienced domestic and sexual violence.
Domestic Violence Sexual violence Relationships
0808 802 1414
USEFUL LINKS TO ORGANISATIONS WHO CAN OFFER SUPPORT
ChildLine
This helpline allows children to call their organisation and seek advice on a range of issues they may be affected by.
Click here for more information
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Barnardo's
Barnardo’s provide a range of services to young people, and their families, all over the country. They work with organisations, and professionals, to help build the very best life for all children.
Click here for more information
Aware NI
Aware NI provides support, for a range of mental health conditions, in the form of support groups, online support, counselling, phone lines, general advice.
Click here for more information
Young Minds
This organisation provides young people with support on issues such as depression.
Click here for more information
Help with Depression
This is a teenager’s guide to depression. This website provides tips and tools for helping yourself or a friend.
Click here for more information
Lifeline
Lifeline is the NI crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. This service assists people of all ages throughout the north.
Click here for more information
CAMHS
CAMHS can be accessed via your GP. This service provides extra specialist support for a child’s emotional wellbeing.
Click here for more information
Family Support NI
The Family Support website aims to be a comprehensive database of all family support and childcare services in Northern Ireland.
Click here for more information
Parenting NI
Parenting NI is a Parents Advice Centre, provides free support for parents across Northern Ireland. Parenting NI is committed to supporting all parents and ensuring that their voices are heard whenever decisions are made that will affect them.
Click here for more information
The Rainbow Project
The Rainbow Project is a health organisation that works to improve the physical, mental and emotional health and well-being of LGBT people in Northern Ireland
Click here for more information
Minding Your Head
A new mental health campaign called 'Helping others' has been launched by the Public Health Agency in partnership with NIAMH. Asking, listening and talking to someone with a mental health problem can start them on the road to recovery. Just a few words can make a massive difference.
Click here for more information
Samaritans
The Samaritans are here round the clock, every single day of the year. We support anyone who needs us. We know our services can help people before it's too late.
Click here for more information
PIPS
PIPS charity is here to provide support to individuals who are considering, or who have at some point considered, ending their own lives. PIPS also provides support to those families and friends who have been touched by suicide.
Click here for more information
Action for Children
We help children to fufil their full potential by providing services to support their individual needs. We succeed in helping children and young people to overcome difficulties at an early stage to tackle problems before it is too late.
Click here for more information
Lighthouse
Provides accessible support services to people who are directly affected by suicide and self-harm.
Click here for more information
Bridge of Hope
Bridge of Hope offers a range of services to support people experiencing stress, trauma or anxiety
Click here for more information
DAISY
The Drug and Alcohol Intervention Service for Young People (DAISY) provides person-centred programmes for young people and young adults to help reduce the harm caused by their substance misuse.
Click here for more information
UK Safer Internet Centre
UK Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of three leading charities with a mission to make the internet a better place for children and young people.
Click here for more information
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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Every Mind Matters
This is a NHS online quiz that asks you 5 specific questions and then based on answers provides a step-by-step plan that advises how to improve emotional well-being
Click here for more information
Zero Suicide Alliance
Zero Suicide Alliance is a collaboration of NHS stakeholders committed to suicide prevention. They help raise awareness and provide free online training which allows people to identify, support and empower anyone who is at risk.
Click here for more information
YoungMinds
If you think you might have depression, you're not alone. Find out more about this common, treatable condition and what to do if you're affected by it.
Click here for more information
Help Guide
Teenager's Guide to Depression - Tips and Tools for helping yourself or a friend.
Click here for more information
Mind for Better Mental Health
Explains anxiety and panic attacks, including possible causes and how you can access treatment and support. Includes tips for helping yourself, and guidance for friends and family.
Click here for more information
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USEFUL APPS FOR YOUR DEVICE
Mindful Gnats
An app to help young people develop mindfulness and relaxation skills
Click here to open in the  App Store
Click here to open in the Google Play Store
MindShift
Offers strategies to manage worry, panic, conflict, ordinary anxiety, and three specialised categories of anxiety: test anxiety, social anxiety, and perfectionism.
Click here to open in the  App Store
Click here to open in the Google Play Store
Headspace
Headspace is a unique app committed to advancing the field of mindfulness meditation through clinically-validated research.
Click here to open in the  App Store
Click here to open in the Google Play Store
Rise Up + Recover
If you are struggling with food, dieting, exercise and body image - this app might be useful to you. Based off self-monitoring homework, a conerstone of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), it is a simple and convenient app that has been used millions of times around the world.
Click here to open in the  App Store
Click here to open in the Google Play Store
SuperBetter
Playing SuperBetter helps build personal resilience: the ability to stay strong, motivated and optimistic in the face of difficult challenges. Resilience has a powerful effect on health - by boosting physical and emotional well-being.