External Support and Guidance

It is very normal for young people (and adults) to feel low at times. There are many reasons for feeling low, these include:

• Family breakdown
• Loss, grief or the sickness of a loved one
• The break-up of a relationship or friendship
• Not reaching an intended goal e.g. a mark in an assessment or selection in a sporting team
• Puberty and hormonal changes
• Being isolated
• Mental illness – anxiety & depression

As you can see, many of these situations may be beyond your direct control, however where you do have some level of control is how you respond to the situation and the level of support you provide to those around you.

It is important to know that no matter how low or desperate you may feel you are not alone and there will always be someone willing to listen to and connect with you. These people may include parents, siblings, a mate, a teacher, a counsellor, a favourite relative . . . and in those times when perhaps you would like to talk to someone who does not know you, there is Kids Helpline, Lifeline and a range of other organisations with people willing to support you. 

The sites* listed below are websites that many young people have found helpful. Some places have people you can either call and message and others have fact sheets and stories of other young people who may have gone through similar tough times like you.  Whatever your situation, there will be some support and guidance – you are not alone.

	Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800	https://kidshelpline.com.au
	Lifeline 13 11 14	https://www.lifeline.org.au/Get-Help/Online-Services/crisis-chat
	Youth Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636	https://www.youthbeyondblue.com
	Head Space	https://headspace.org.au
	eHeadspace 1800 650 890	https://www.eheadspace.org.au
	Reachout	http://reachout.com
	Biteback	Biteback.org.au
	COPMI – Children of Parents with a Mental Illness	http://www.copmi.net.au/kids-young-people
	Black Dog Institute	https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
	Barrenjoey High School	https://www.emotionalhealthatbarrenjoey.com.au

Alternatively, you may just like to drop into a centre outside of school to talk with someone or just to have a break and some chill time in a safe and supportive environment. Fortunately, there are places just like this on the Northern Beaches and include:

	Youth Reach	https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/Find_Help/NSW/General_support/Youth_Reach/ 12 Powells Rd Brookvale
	Avalon Youth Hub	https://avalonyouthhub.org.au/about/ 59 Old Barrenjoey Road Avalon
	PCYC	https://www.pcycnsw.org.au/northern-beaches/ 40 Kingsway Dee Why

 

Or your situation may require you talking with a health professional like a psychologist outside of school. Fortunately, there are an abundance of private counselling services on the Northern Beaches as well as some free ones. Free counselling services include:

	Northern Beaches Youth & Family Counselling Service 9976 1486	AFC@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
	Sydney Drug Education and Counselling Service 9977 0711	https://www.sdecc.org.au
	Child & Youth Mental Health Service - Brookvale 9388 5150	https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Services/Directory/Pages/Child-and-Youth-Mental-Health-Service-Northern-Beaches.aspx

 

Of course, if you or someone you know is in a serious crisis then please contact 000 immediately and ask for an ambulance or the police.  No problem is too big that it cannot be managed. You can do this . . .  we can do this.

 

^{*Whilst these sites are reputable, the school does not regularly review all contents and cannot be held responsible for what is contained within. Particularly for younger students, some parental guidance may be necessary.}