GUIDANCE COUNSELLING & HEALTH CLINIC

Hillcrest High has a whole school approach to student wellbeing, so every student and adult has a responsibility to care for each other.

The Pastoral care system includes Teachers, Deans, Nurses, Senior Leaders and Guidance Counsellors.

HHS has four counsellors who are professionally trained members of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors, to support students, families and staff. The counsellors work professionally and ethically under the NZAC Code of Ethics. The team works closely with other staff. Our aim is to support students to achieve their personal best academically, emotionally and socially. Counsellors advocate for those who are disempowered. They also offer mediation and restorative meetings.

The counsellors have strong links with agencies in our wider community and are able to guide students and whaanau to them if specialist expertise is appropriate.

Why see a Counsellor?

There are always times in your life when things happen and you are not sure what to do. At times like this it can help to talk to someone else. As counsellors we are trained to support you to explore any issue or concern to find new ideas or ways of coping to develop resilience and empowerment.

In counselling you can talk in a safe non-judgemental place with someone who supports you. A counsellor is someone who listens carefully and assists you to explore and think about things differently to help discover new perspectives, ideas and choices. Even if you are not sure how, or where to start talking we are trained to help with that.

It can help you:

Book an Appointment

To make an appointment you can email the counsellors or talk to a teacher or Dean about seeing the counsellor.

Health Clinic

The Health Clinic is staffed by two registered nurses who share the provision of health services during school hours. The clinic is available for students who require acute medical treatment for accidents and injuries that happen at school, and for those who would like health information.

Students are expected to access the clinic during intervals and lunch unless it’s an emergency. A pass from the student’s teacher is required if they need to go to the clinic during class time. In addition, there is a doctor available for students one afternoon a week, and a physiotherapist three days a week.

Need to Talk? Me korero?

Free call or text 1737 any time to talk to a trained counselor

Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat

Depression helpline 0800 111 757 talk to a trained counselor 24/7

Depression.org.nz Free text 4202

What’s Up 0800 942 8787 (for 5-18-year-olds). Phone counseling is available Monday to Friday, 1 pm – 10 pm and weekends, 3 pm – 10 pm. Online chat is available 7 pm – 10 pm daily.

Tools to help through difficult times – Free app from melonhealth.com

The Lowdown Free text5626 The Lowdown is a website to help young New Zealanders recognise and understand depression or anxiety.

The site includes:

Helpful information on anxiety, depression

Guidance on other issues relevant to young people, such as bullying and family relationships

Quick steps to help build healthy mental wellbeing

Places to go to get help

Information for anyone worried about a friend

A moderated forum for young people to share stories and experiences and provide peer-to-peer support

A free-text service

SPARX

SPARX is an interactive self-help online tool that teaches young people skills to help combat depression and anxiety.

Aunty Dee

Aunty Dee is a free online tool for anyone who needs some help working through a problem. It doesn’t matter what the problem is, you can use Aunty Dee to help you work it through.

Rainbow Youth 09 376 4155

www.netsafe.org.nz

Healthline – 0800 611 116 To get help from a registered nurse 24/7