Support for families, children and young people
Mental Health
Scotland’s anti-bullying service launched in March 2007. The service is fully funded by the Scottish
Government and is managed by Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) in partnership with
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Youth Scotland.
Childline anti-bullying helpline in Scotland (0800 44 1111) specifically for children and young
people who are the experiencing bullying or who are displaying bullying behaviour.
LGBT Youth Scotland’s vision is to make Scotland a place where LGBTI young people can flourish
and thrive. The charity plays a leading role in the provision of quality youth work to LGBTI young
people that promotes their health and wellbeing and are a valued and influential partner in LGBTI
equality and human rights.
LGBT Scotland Helpline – 0300 123 2523
Open every Tuesday and Wednesday between 12-9pm.
Information and emotional support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their
families, friends and supporters.
Kooth is a free online counselling and emotional well-being support service providing children and
young people aged 10 – 18 years (up to 19th birthday) in the Scottish Borders with a safe and
secure means of accessing support with their emotional health and wellbeing needs from a
professional team of qualified counsellors. Link is on your iPad.
Togetherall is available free to all residents (16+) living within Scottish Borders.
Togetherall provides a supportive, online community to get help. Trained professionals are
available 24/7, and there is a choice of safe therapeutic services, including online self-help courses.
This means anyone who may be struggling can get support at a time that suits them, direct from
their device.
The service is completely anonymous, and when a new member joins, they create an anonymous
username, which does not identify them in any way. Link is on your iPad.
Resilience For Wellbeing Service – Quarriers
Quarriers Resilience for Wellbeing Service, which runs throughout 9 Secondary schools covering
the whole of the Scottish Borders, focuses on prevention and early intervention to aid and improve
mental health. Simply put, we are here to guide and help young people to cope when times are
tough.
NHS Borders Wellbeing Point
www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/wellbeingpoint
shout Crisis Text Line – Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
If you are experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support. Shout can help with
urgent issues such as suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm, bullying and relationship
challenges. giveusashout.org
Samaritans – Tel: 116 123
24 hour helpline. For personal crisis, risk of suicide and emotional support.
Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87
A free evenings and weekends, confidential phone service for anyone experiencing low mood,
depression or anxiety.
Substance misuse
There are many reasons why someone might drink alcohol or take drugs. You can find information on different types of drugs and alcohol, how they affect your physical and mental health and what to do if you need help on the Frank and Crew websites.
Honest information about drugs | FRANK
Vapes
Vaping among young people is a growing concern. A significant portion of secondary school students have tried vaping, with a notable percentage using them regularly or occasionally. Vaping presents several dangers, including nicotine addiction, potential lung injuries, and exposure to harmful chemicals. It is particularly harmful for young people as their developing lungs and brains means they are more sensitive to its effects.
Young people from S2-6 have watched and discussed the following documentary in PSE: Jordan North: The Truth About Vaping – BBC iPlayer which may also be useful for parents.
THC
THC vapes are increasingly popular, especially among young people, though their legality and safety are major concerns. Studies show a rise in cannabis vaping among adolescents, partly attributed to the perception that vaping is a more discreet and convenient method of cannabis consumption compared to traditional methods.
A key concern is the lack of regulation and quality control in the THC vape market, leading to products containing unknown and potentially harmful substances like synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., “spice”).
Crew have produced a resource to increase awareness of THC and synthetic cannabinoids.
S3-6 students have also learned about THC vapes in PSE and the following documentary may be useful for anyone looking to increase their knowledge of THC: Drugs Map of Britain – Series 2: 2. THC Vapes – BBC iPlayer
Online safety
Online safety is crucial for young people because the internet can expose them to various risks like cyberbullying, online grooming, and harmful content. It’s important for them to understand how to navigate these dangers and protect themselves, as well as their peers.
Taking control of your online safety | Childline
NSPCC also have useful information for parents and carers which may be helpful in supporting young people of different ages to stay safe online: Keeping children safe online | NSPCC
Road safety
The Road Safety Scotland website promotes awareness of road safety for all types of road users.
Water safety
Water Safety Scotland is a voluntary organisation dedicated to reduce accidental drownings in Scotland by 50% by 2026. For more information about how to keep safe around water visit their website.
Water Safety Scotland | Water safety advice and resources
Fire safety
Deliberately setting fires or “playing” with fire can lead to serious consequences like injury, property damage and diversion of emergency services. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service provide advice around this and staying safe around any type of fire.
![[OFFICIAL]](https://peebleshighschool.com/wp-content/themes/vinkmag/assets/images/default_thumb.jpg)
by