Senior School partners with SAMH

The Senior School has launched a partnership with SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) to supercharge mental health support within the school for pupils aged between 11 and 18. 

‘Time for Me’ is delivered by Louise Chambers, HSOG’s SAMH coaching practitioner, and is an eight-week programme which offers one-to-one and small group sessions to support pupils facing mild to moderate emotional or mental health challenges, such as low mood, anxiety, low self-esteem, managing emotions and stress. These sessions take the form of Wellbeing Coaching or Talking Therapy. 

The partnership was announced during Wellbeing Week (10 to 14 February), with Billy Burke, SAMH’s Head of Development and Innovation, delivering a special assembly focusing on dispelling the stigma associated with talking about mental health and encouraging the act of asking for help. 

Billy Burke, Head of Development and Innovation at SAMH, said:

We all know the signs of poor physical health, but mental health struggles aren’t always visible. That’s why it’s crucial to talk – whether to House staff or Louise if you’d like to learn more about the SAMH service, a trusted adult, or a friend. The more we talk, the more we break the stigma.” 

In line with the partnership, Louise will join weekly House meetings and Nursing team meetings. The addition of SAMH’s ‘Time For Me’ sessions further enrich the pastoral, medical and mental health support available at the Senior School, ensuring seamless access across the board. 

Mr Philip Graham (Senior School Deputy Head Pastoral), House staff and Transitus Form Teachers have worked closely with SAMH to establish a clear referral pathway for those seeking support. 

Commenting, Philip Graham, Senior School Deputy Head (Pastoral), said:

Our partnership with SAMH allows us to provide vital support to young people facing mental health challenges. At a time when critical services like CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services delivered by the NHS) receive over 100 referrals a day across Scotland, it is all too easy for those with less severe – but still significant – mental health issues to go unheard and unsupported. If a pupil experienced a physical ailment, like a stomach-ache, they wouldn’t hesitate to see the School Nurse for advice. We want to ensure that seeking help for mental health is just as natural and accessible. This initiative ensures our pupils have the support they need while also encouraging more open conversations around mental wellbeing across our community."

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For more information about the 'Time for Me' programme and the referrals process please speak to House staff in the first instance.

Pictured above is Louise Chambers, HSOG’s SAMH coaching practitioner, alongside our S6 Health and Wellbeing Representatives, Alex C and Matthew A, in the Health and Wellbeing Room.