Currently, there are SBHS students being seen for counselling issues that arise from a combination of anxiety, depression and sleep issues. It is certainly true that this has become a significant part of our workload since the 2011 earthquakes. Interestingly, the Port Hill fires, while they directly affected a only small minority of our students, they did bring a lot of these issues to the surface again.

The purpose of this short article is to raise awareness of a valuable and free resource, or more accurately, set of resources, that have been grouped under the banner of “Help for the Tough Times”. This is a series of resources co-ordinated by the Health Promotion Agency.

They offer 4 reliable and free websites where students (and families/whanau) can access support and information:

1 “The Lowdown” - Go to: thelowdown.co.nz

This site contains lots of information on anxiety, depression, relationships, identity and school life

2 “Youthline” – Go to: youthline.co.nz

Or Free phone: 0800 376 633

Or Free Text: 234

This resource has been around for many years and provides lots of different support options and advice

3 SPARX - Go to: sparx.org.nz

Or Free Phone: 0508 4 SPARX

This is a fantasy game that has been around for a few years that teaches skills to help manage stress, anxiety and depression. It also has a free “mood” quiz.

4 Common Ground - Go to: commonground.org.nz

A good place for family and friends to learn about useful ways to support themselves and teenagers with mental health issues.

All 4 of these resources are free and recommended as good starting points.

Tony Ambrose

HOD Guidance