Career Guidance

The role of the Guidance Counsellor can be divided into three main areas: Educational Counselling; Vocational Counselling; and Personal Counselling. This work is carried out in collaboration with the Principal, Deputy Principals, Chaplains, Year Heads, Parents, Resource Teachers and Subject Teachers. In this way, students are informed and supported so that they can optimise their learning, overcome any difficulties and make good career and life decisions.

The Guidance Programme aims to respond to the needs of the student at any stage of their education in the school. Educational counselling encompasses the support of incoming First Years making the transition to post-primary school, subject choice advice in preparation for Second year and Fifth Year, and the development of study skills. Vocational Counselling is delivered through timetabled careers classes in Transition Year and Sixth Year as well as individual careers interviews and careers presentations. The Guidance Counsellor is available to meet individual students and talk about any issues that might be affecting them. Workshops may also be available in the area of stress management and mental health.

Assessment is an integral part of the school guidance programme. It involves the integration and evaluation of data inventories, psychometric tests, interviews, scales, and other techniques which measure an individual’s abilities, aptitudes, interests, personality, values, attitudes, educational achievements, skills, and other relevant information. The guidance counsellor is responsible for the maintenance of professional standards in the administration, interpretation, and dissemination of tests and results.

Careers Information Evening for parents

The 6th Year Careers Information Evening for parents took place on November 5th. A very informative presentation was given by our Guidance Counsellors, Ms Anne Wemyss and Mr Brian Dowling. Click on the following link to see the presentation – 6th Yr Careers Evening

Mental Health supports and services during COVID-19

The spread of coronavirus is a new and challenging event. Some people might find it more worrying than others and may need some extra support.

Online counselling and supports

Turn2Me

• Free online counselling and online support groups for people over 18
• Visit www.turn2me.org

MyMind

• Online counselling service
• Visit www.mymind.org or email hq@mymind.org

Jigsaw

• Mental health information and a Q&A service for young people, their parents and guardians, and those who work with young people.  Jigsaw also offer an online group chat service.
• Visit www.jigsawonline.ie

Shine

• Shine are currently providing remote support and an outreach service to people experiencing mental health problems and their families and supporters by phone and email.
• Visit www.shine.ie/covid-19 or email phil@shine.ie

Bodywhys Online Support

• Support for people who are affected by eating disorders including for friends and families. Online support groups are continuing as normal.
• Visit www.bodywhys.ie or email alex@bodywhys.ie

Suicide or Survive (SOS)

• A series of free online wellness workshops and programmes are available from SOS
• Visit Suicide or Survive for more information

Phone, email and text supports

Alone

• Alone provide a COVID-19 support line for older people
• Telephone 0818 222 024 (from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday)
• Visit www.alone.ie

Samaritans

• Emotional support to anyone in distress or struggling to cope
• Freephone 116 123 (any time, day or night)
• Email jo@samaritans.ie

Pieta House

• Pieta House provides telephone and text-based support counselling for people who are suicidal or engaging in self-harm
• Freephone 1800 247 247 (any time, day or night)
• Text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply)
• Telephone appointments will be provided to replace face to face appointments – contact your local Pieta House for details

Childline (ISPCC)

• Ireland’s 24-hour national listening service for young people up to the age of 18
• Freephone 1800 666 666 (any time, day or night)
• Text 50101 (from 10am to 4pm every day)
• Chat online at www.childline.ie (from 10am to 4pm every day)

BeLonG To Text Support

• BeLonG To provide support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) young people in Ireland
• Text LGBTI+ to 086 1800 280 to can chat in confidence with a trained crisis volunteer (anytime day or night, standard SMS rates may apply)
• While face to face services are closed, information, referral and advice will be provided digitally, by email, SMS, phone call or video conference
• Visit www.belongto.org

Aware Support Line

• Information and support to anyone over 18 about issues relating to their own mood or the mood of a friend or family member, or who experiences depression or bipolar.
• Freephone Support Line 1800 80 48 48 (from 10am to 10pm every day)
• Support and self-care groups nationwide, are cancelled until further notice
• Life Skills Online Programme continuing as normal
• Email supportmail@aware.ie for services information and support

Crisis Text Line Ireland

• A confidential messaging support service
• Text TALK to 086 1800 280 (any time day or night, standard SMS rates may apply)

LGBT Ireland

• Online support and through the helpline for LGBT+ people across Ireland
• LGBT Helpline 1890 929 539 (every day)
• Gender Identity Family Support Line 01 907 3707
• Email info@lgbt.ie for support or information while face to face services are closed
• An instant messaging service is available 7 days a week, from 6:30pm to 10pm Mon – Thur, from 4pm to 10pm Fridays, and from 4pm to 6pm on Sat & Sun

Mental Health Ireland 

• Information and support for people who experience mental health difficulties
• Information line (01) 284 1166 (from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
• Visit www.mentalhealthireland.ie or email info@mentalhealthireland.ie for more information

GROW Mental Health Recovery

• Information line 1890 474 474
• Visit www.grow.ie or email info@grow.ie for more information, or while peer support groups are postponed

Exchange House Ireland National Traveller Mental Health Service

• Telephone and online services and supports are available while face to face and group services have stopped
• Call 01 8721094 (then press 1) for support, help or advice (from 9am to 5pm every day)
• Visit www.exchangehouse.ie for more information

Mobile apps to support your mental health

These mobile apps can help you manage anxiety. They have been reviewed and approved for listing here, by a group in the HSE (Mental Health Apps Review Sub Group). The app developers are solely responsible for their app’s advertisement, compliance and fitness for purpose. Unless stated otherwise, apps are not supplied by the HSE, and the HSE is not liable for their use.

Mindshift (by Anxiety Canada)

A user-friendly self-help tool based on proven scientific strategies, MindShift CBT teaches about anxiety, helping users to engage in healthy thinking and to take action. Users check in each day to track their anxiety and work with tools in the app.

• Get it in the App Store or on Google Play

Clear Fear

Clear Fear is an app developed for teenage mental health charity Stem4 which uses the evidence-based treatment CBT to focus on learning to reduce the physical responses to threat by learning to breathe, relax and be mindful as well as changing thoughts and behaviours and releasing emotions. You can personalise the app if you so wish and you will be able to track your progress and notice change.

• Get it in the App Store or on Google Play

Headspace

Headspace is a well-known mobile app that teaches meditation and easy to use mindfulness skills. Map your journey, track your progress, and reap rewards in your overall health and wellbeing. You can even ‘buddy up’ with friends and motivate each other along the way.

• Get it in the App Store or on Google Play

More online supports

The YourMentalHealth.ie website provides information and signposting on all mental health supports and services that are available nationally & locally provided by the HSE and its funded partners. You can also call the freephone YourMentalHealth Information Line to find supports and services 1800 111 888 (any time, day or night).