Sixth Form Student Well-being
Wellbeing in Whickham Sixth is about ensuring every student receives bespoke and individual care and support beyond that of their academic studies. It is about educating young adults how to stay physically, emotionally and mentally well both now and in their future. We aim to ensure that students and parents/carers know where to seek support when needed and to realise it is okay not to be okay.
Pupils are supported through personal guidance, pastoral support and signposting to on-line support channels. Non-judgmental awareness of mental health and a passion for ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion are not only promoted through our curriculum as part of Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship (PSHCE) education programme, and our diverse Enrichment activities, but also through a plethora of additional support services, projects and other campaigns aimed at de-stigmatisation.
Our school’s dedicated Mental Health Team comprises a full-time Child Psychotherapist School Counsellor, two Mental Health Support Officers, our YMHFA (Youth Mental Health First Aid) trained School Librarian, a Social Worker and Mental Health First Aid trained staff.
Need someone to talk to?
The Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way, about whatever’s getting to you. 24 hours a day 365 days a year. For an immediate response call 116 123.
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people to help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to them via online, social or free, confidential helpline.
NSPCC provide information about child protection, advice for adults who are worried about a child, advice for parents and carers or consultations with professionals who come into contact with abused children or children at risk of abuse.
Support Line offer confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults by telephone, email and post. They work with callers to develop healthy, positive coping strategies, an inner feeling of strength and increased self-esteem to encourage healing, recovery and moving forward with life.
Alcohol & Substance misuse
Platform Gateshead help young people to make an informed choice about their lifestyle regarding substance and alcohol use through early intervention and prevention support to reduce substance misuse. They offer Information, advice and practical support to young people, parents/carers and others focusing upon building on positives and strengths to enable all young people to be healthy, stay safe and raise aspirations
Anxiety
Anxiety UK provide support and help if you’ve been diagnosed with, or suspect you may have an anxiety condition. We can also help you deal with specific phobias such as fear of spiders, blushing, vomiting, being alone, public speaking, heights – in fact, any fear that’s stopped you from getting on with your life.
Autism
The Autism Helpline enquiry service provides impartial, confidential information along with advice and support for autistic people and their families and carers.
Bereavement
Cruse Bereavement Care offers support, advice and information to children, young young people and adults when someone dies – working to enhance societies care of bereaved people.
Carer Services
Crossroads is an independent local charity helping to improve the lives of people living in Gateshead who care for someone who has a chronic illness, disability or addiction. They provide a range of support, including: practical tasks, physical care, personal care, emotional support, dealing with challenging behaviour, organising medication, managing finances, helping someone to communicate or translating on their behalf, organising appointments and supervising children or siblings.
For more information and support visit our Young Carers page
Disability
Newcastle Youth Link offers 1:1 peer mentoring for young people aged 11-19 (or up to 25 years with a disability) living in Newcastle. The mentoring is based around goals that the young person identifies, and they are matched with a volunteer peer mentor aged 18-25 years.
Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse
SomeOne Cares Free Counselling provision for anyone whose lives have been affected by any kind of abuse. Specialising in counselling victims of childhood sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault. We also provide counselling for survivors family members and supporters.
Women’s Aid in partnership with Refuge help thousands of women and children every year by providing a 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline offering a range of online services including the Survivors’ Forum and The Hideout
Refuge supports more than 6,000 clients, helping them rebuild their lives and overcome many different forms of violence and abuse; including domestic violence, sexual violence, so-called ‘honour’-based violence, human trafficking and modern slavery, and female genital mutilation.
Rape Crisis offer a free and confidential service for women and girls aged 13 and over who have experienced adult rape/sexual assault or childhood sexual abuse who live, work or study in Tyneside and Northumberland
Galop – LGBT Domestic Abuse can support you if you’ve experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse. They also support lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people who have had problems with the police or have questions about the criminal justice system.
Eating Disorders
Beat is the UK’s leading charity supporting those affected by eating disorders and campaigning on their behalf
Homelessness
Shelter North East helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through advice, support and legal services. They campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to them for help.
LGBTQ+
Stonewall work with partner organisations to create real change for the better. They have laid deep foundations across Britain so the community can continue to find ways to flourish, and individuals can reach their full potential. They are there to support those who can’t yet be themselves.
Galop – LGBT Domestic Abuse can support you if you’ve experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse. They also support lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people who have had problems with the police or have questions about the criminal justice system.
The Proud Trust is a life saving and life enhancing organisation that helps young people empower themselves to make a positive change for themselves and their communities. We do this through youth groups, peer support delivering of training and events, campaigns, and undertaking research and creating resources.
The Albert Kennedy Trust works with 16-25 year olds in the UK who identify as LGBTQ+ and are experiencing homelessness or struggling with their housing situation
Mens Health
The Men’s Health Forum is a charity supporting men’s health in England, Wales and Scotland. They work to ensure that all men and boys – particularly those in the most disadvantaged areas and communities – will have the information, services and treatments they need to live healthier, longer and more fulfilling lives.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) for men is leading a movement against suicide, the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK
Mental Health
Talking Therapies Gateshead are a team of experienced workers offering a free, confidential service for people aged over 16 and registered with a GP in Gateshead. The provide a range of psychological therapies to help you feel better if you’re anxious, depressed, stressed or worried.
Talking Changes Durham provides a service to those aged 16+ who are experiencing a common mental health problem such as; depression, generalized anxiety, specific phobias, panic, obsessive compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder and who are not already accessing adult mental health services.
PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.
Young Minds can help whether you want to know more about how you’re feeling, get information about a mental health condition or want know what support is available to you
No Panic helps people who suffer from Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and other related anxiety disorders including those people who are trying to give up Tranquillizers. They also provide support for the carers of people who suffer from anxiety disorders
Saneline work to improve the quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness.
The Mental Health Foundation is the UK’s charity for everyone’s mental health. With prevention at the heart of what we do, we aim to find and address the sources of mental health problems.
Rethink provide expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems. They give people clear relevant information on everything from treatment and care to benefits and employment rights.
On My Mind aims to empower young people to make informed choices about the mental health support they want, the treatments they receive and the outcomes they desire. The site contains information, advice and resources to help young people support their own mental health, including signposting to sources of support in times of crisis and tools to help young people manage their own wellbeing.
Relationships
Relate can help you if you’re single or in a relationship, straight or gay, young or old. Whatever your circumstances they are dedicated to helping you get the most out of your relationships, no matter how big or small the issue. Services include relationship counselling for individuals and couples, family counselling, counselling for children and young people.
Family Lives offer support to help parents deal with the changes that are a constant part of family life. including child development, issues with schools and parenting/relationship support. They also respond when life becomes complicated and provide support around family breakdown, aggression in the home, bullying, risky teenage behaviour and mental health concerns of both parents and their children.
Victims of Crime
Victim Support help anyone affected by crime, not only those who experience it directly, but also their friends, family and any other people involved. It doesn’t matter when the crime took place – you can get out support at any time, and for however long you need it 24 hours a day 365 days a year – regardless of whether you have reported the crime to the police.
