I am Jess Burch, I provide 121 and group wellbeing and counselling support to students in school. I also offer lunchtime drop-in appointments, students can book these themselves, or via a tutor, head of year, or other staff members.
Every person is different and the worries and issues they bring are different, I work with each young person as an individual to help them understand their feelings and emotions and think about coping strategies that might work for them, sometimes just having somewhere safe to talk and offload can make a huge difference. We are really lucky at KAR to have some great outdoor spaces, I try to use these as often as possible with the students, this can be really beneficial to their wellbeing, studies show that being outside reduces anxiety, depression, fatigue, and mental overload while promoting calmness and joy.
We also have a newly refurbished wellbeing room that is a warm safe space for students to come and talk, or use creative therapy.
Did you know that East Sussex CC and other agencies offer support and guidance for pupils and parents whose children access East Sussex schools and provisions?
They have the Family Hub, support services for families, which can be found on facebook and through a dedicated email address
EH.0-19parentingteam@eastsussex.gov.uk where you can enquire about webinars, youth clubs or parenting groups, they can also be called on their dedicated phoneline 01424 725 800 where they can offer all sorts of practical help and advice, including food banks, baby banks and other parenting related concerns.
The services listed below are about support services for young people and children in East Sussex. They are not crisis or emergency services.
If your situation is a health emergency, call 999.
For information about what to do in a mental health crisis see: Help! I’m in crisis (NHS)
Or contact the Sussex Mental Health Crisis line (NHS) via 111 and select the ‘mental health' option. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone concerned about their mental health, or someone else's, can call.
1Space directory
1Space is the Council's Local Offer (SEND) directory. It lists mental health support services for children and young people. East Sussex residents can access all services listed. These may be in-person or online.
Click here for an East Sussex filtered list of 1Space services
I-Rock (Hastings, Eastbourne and Newhaven)
For young people (aged 14 to 25 years)
i-Rock drop-in for young people
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Webinars for parents and carers (sussexcamhs.nhs.uk)
Holding Space (Eastbourne)
E-motion (free online counselling)
A free counselling service for 12 to 18-year-olds in East Sussex. It offers a virtual space, where you can talk about your problems and feelings. Visit the website to register:
E-wellbeing (YMCA)
An East Sussex digital wellbeing and mental health service. It is for 13 to 25-year-olds. Designed by young people, for young people.
YoungMinds
Parents helpline: 0808 802 5544
(Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)