Pastoral Care: Social, Emotional and Physical Well-Being
At St. Lawrence College we recognise that the positive relationship between young people, their parents, their friends, and the school is fundamental for our pupils to grow and flourish into well-rounded individuals. Children and teenagers today, in all walks of life, face real concerns; they are exposed to some overwhelming external and internal struggles. It is important that pupils and parents have access to accurate and appropriate information about social, emotional and physical well-being. This page shares highly relevant guidance from many well-regarded external agencies and services, both in the U.K. and here in Greece, that will help to support the needs of our pupils and their families. Click the links to access up-to-date documents about a range of pastoral care issues.
Mental health and well-being
You’re never too young to talk mental health Tips for parents and carers on talking to young children. (Anna Freud)
Talking to an 11-18 year old about their mental health A guide for parents, carers, family members and guardians on how to talk to young people about their mental health and wellbeing. (Mind)
Starting the mental health conversation How to talk to your children about mental health. (SAMH)
Understanding Mental Health Problems Information for anyone who experiences problems with their mental health. (SAMH)
Am I ok? Thinking about your mental health. (SAMH)
Asking for help: A guide for young people Tips for when it’s time to talk about your mental health, or if you want to help a friend. (CWMT)
I am worried about my child A guide for parents and carers worried about their child’s mental health. (SAMH)
How to help a friend A guide to helping your friend with their mental health. (SAMH)
Helping someone else How to support a friend with their mental health. (Anna Freud)
5 ways for better well-being How pupils can look after their mental health and well-being. (SAMH)
5 ways for better well-being for families How to look after your family’s mental health and well-being. (SAMH)
Self-Care for Children and Young People What children and young people can do to look after their mental health. (Anna Freud)
Self-care for parents and carers Self-care for parents and carers
Low mood and depression
Supporting children and young people with depression Information for parents and carers to support children and young people with depression. (Anna Freud)
Depression the warning signs What are the warning signs that you or someone you know may be depressed? (CWMT)
Depression Facts and advice about the ‘common cold of psychiatry’. (CWMT)
A parent’s guide to depression Supporting your child with depression. (CWMT)
Depression self-help guide A self help guide for anyone experiencing depression and low mood. (NHS)
Self-care for depression Find tips on caring for yourself (Mind)
Stress & Anxiety
What is stress? A guide to understand stress, how you can help yourself and get support. (Mind)
Exam stress and pressure Useful tips for those sitting exams. (Childline)
Coping with anxiety Understanding and coping with anxiety (Childline)
Anxiety and panic attacks Understanding and coping with anxiety and panic attacks (Mind)
Supporting children and young people with anxiety Information for parents and carers to support children and young people with anxiety. (Anna Freud)
Supporting children and young people with social anxiety disorder Information for parents and carers to support children and young people with social anxiety disorder. (Anna Freud)
Supporting children and young people with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Information for parents and carers to support children and young people with post traumatic stress disorder. (Anna Freud)
Self-esteem
Working on your self-esteem A self-help book to help you cope better with low self-esteem. (NHS)
Building confidence and self-esteem Tips to boost your self-esteem. (Childline)
Perfectionism
Perfectionism When striving for excellence becomes unhealthy. (CWMT)
Anger
Anger Explaining anger, practical suggestions for what you can do to deal with anger and where you can go for support. (SAMH)
Anger Issues A self-help book to help you cope better with irritability and anger. (Wellbeing Glasgow)
Tips for 11-18 year olds on dealing with anger Tips and ideas for young people on how to cope when you feel angry. (Mind)
Sleep
Information for 11-18 year olds on sleep and mental health A guide for young people on sleep and mental health, what causes poor sleep and how it might affect you. (Mind)
Tips on improving your sleep Tips and ideas for young people on how to improve your sleep now and in the future. (Mind)
Problems sleeping Tips for better sleep (Childline)
Friendships
Friendship problems Advice and tips to manage friendship issues. (Childline)
Peer pressure Ways to manage peer pressure. (Childline)
Making friends Top tips to making friends. (Childline)
The social connection planner How to better meet your social needs. (The Wellness Society)
Sex & Relationships
Sex and consent Information about sex and consent for teens (Childline)
Relationships Advice on what to do if you’re not sure about a relationship. (Childline)
ContraceptionInformation about contraception and safe sex. (Childline)
SextingAdvice to help teens about sexting and sending nudes. (Childline)
Pregnancy Advice on what to do if you worry about being pregnant. (Childline)
Puberty & Body Image
Teenage body Advice for help and support dealing with changes and looking after your body. (Childline)
PubertyInformation about puberty
Sexual and Gender Identity
SexualityTrying to understand your sexuality can be confusing sometimes. If you’re struggling to cope or you’re not sure what to do next, we’ve got advice to help. (Childline)
Gender identity Information and advice about gender identity. (Childline)
LGBTQI+ mental health Support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex young people. (Anna Freud)
Coming out Answers to some questions you may have. (The Proud Trust)
Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children
Self-harm
Self-harm coping techniques Information about self-harm and safer ways to cope. (Childline)
A parent’s guide to self-harm The nature and causes of self-harm and how to support a young person that is facing this problem. (CWMT)
Supporting children and young people who self-harm Information for parents and carers to support children and young people who self-harm. (Anna Freud)
Suicidal thoughts
Suicidal feelings A booklet explaining why you may have suicidal feelings and providing some options to help you look forward and break the cycle of negative thoughts. (Mind UK)
How to support someone who feels suicidal Practical suggestions for what you can do to support someone who is suicidal and where you can go for support. (Mind UK)
Eating Disorders
I'm worried about someone with an eating disorder Advice if you are worried that someone has an eating disorder. (Beat UK)
Distraction techniques Ways to distract yourself from the urge to use eating disorder behaviours (Beat UK)
Learning Difficulties
Supporting children and young people with ADHD Information for parents and carers to support children and young people with ADHD. (Anna Freud)
Dyslexia and learning disability Ways to cope with dyslexia and learning difficulties. (Childline)
Alcohol & Drugs
Supporting children and young people with alcohol and substance use disorder Information for parents and carers to support children and young people with alcohol and substance use disorder. (Anna Freud)
A parent’s guide to alcohol What is the harm of alcohol before 18 years of age? (What’s the harm, UK)
The Truth about Drugs An A-Z booklet giving the low down on lots of legal and illegal drugs. (Talk to Frank)
Drugs – Does your child know more than you? Detailed drugs advice for parents and carers. (Talk to Frank)
Bullying
A parent’s guide to bullying Information and advice to support you and your child if they are being bullied. (Family Lives)
Cyberbullying 10 things you need to know to support your child. (Internet Matters)
Anti-bullyingA tool for parents and carers. (Anti-Bullying Alliance)
Bullying and cyberbullying Tips to deal with bullying or to help a friend
Family Problems
Family problems Advice for teens when you’re not getting on with your family. (Childline)
Divorce or separation of parents
Divorce and separation Ways to cope with divorce and separation. (Childline)
My family’s changing Coping with your feelings when your parents separate or divorce. (CAFCASS)
Divorce & Separation A Parents Guide Information and advice to support your family while you're going through divorce or separation (Young Minds)
Parents and carers in conflict or separating Tips for parents and carers experiencing conflict, and advice on reducing the impact of conflict between parents and carers on children. (Anna Freud)
Step-families
A parent’s guide to successful step-families Advice and guidance for step-families. (Family Lives)
Bereavement
After a loved one dies – how children grieve How parents and adults can support bereaved children and young people. (New York Life Foundation)
Coping with the loss of a loved one Some guidance on grief and bereavement. (Cancer.org)
Social Media
Building a good online reputation Tips to help children create a good digital footprint. (Internet Matters)
Instagram Checklist to make sure that your Instagram account is safe. (Internet Matters)
Instagram Advice to young people on social media. (SWGFL)
Parental control - Instagram Parental advice for safety and privacy. (Internet Matters)
Snapchat Advice to young people on social media. (SWGFL)
Parental control - Snapchat Parental advice for safety and privacy. (Internet Matters)
Tik Tok Advice to young people on social media. (SWGFL)
Parental control – Tik Tok Parental advice for safety and privacy. (Internet Matters)
Facebook Advice to young people on social media. (SWGFL)
Parental control – Facebook Parental advice for safety and privacy. (Internet Matters)
Whatsapp Advice to young people on social media. (Internet matters)
Parental control – Whatsapp Parental advice for safety and privacy. (Internet Matters)
Parental control – Youtube Parental advice for safety and privacy. (Internet Matters)
Cyberbullying 10 things you need to know to support your child. (Internet Matters)
Internet safety
Online safety for parents of children 0-5 years Offers advice on how to ensure that very young children remain safe when online. (Internet Matters)
Online safety for parents of children 6-10 years Offers advice on how to ensure that young children remain safe when online. (Internet Matters)
Online safety for parents of children 11-13 years Offers advice on how to ensure that young people remain safe when online. (Internet Matters)
Online safety for parents of children 14+ years Offers advice on how to ensure that young people remain safe when online. (Internet Matters)
Moving to secondary school guide Offers advice on how to ensure that children transitioning between junior and senior school remain safe when online. (Internet Matters)
A parent’s secondary school guide Information about how to support your child so they are safe online. (Internet Matters)
Set up safe checklist A simple checklist for your child’s safety on the internet. (Internet Matters)
Digital resilience 11-13 years Advice for parents of children 11-13 to help them become more digitally savvy. (Internet Matters)
Digital resilience 14+ years Advice for parents of teens to help children become more digitally savvy. (Internet Matters)
Online Gaming
Gaming advice to support teens Parental advice for when teenagers play computer games. (Internet Matters)
Balancing Screen Time
Balancing screen time Key Stage 3 Advice for parents on helping children in Years 7-9 find a balance between life on and offline. (Internet Matters)
Balancing screen time Key Stage 4 and 5 Advice for parents on helping young people in Years 10-13 find a balance between life on and offline. (Internet Matters)
