Why Katie Thick will be at Launceston College all year

There is a new face in the assembly hall this term for students in Launceston, and she plans to be around for the whole school year.

Launceston College has teamed up with the NHS Mental Health Support Team to provide specialist support and advice for students, parents and staff.

📷Katie Thick is introduced to students at Launceston College

Who is Katie Thick?

Katie Thick is a Clinical Supervisor and Education Mental Health Practitioner at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. She will be working with the college community throughout the year.

The partnership builds on work the team has already carried out with some local primary schools.

Katie was introduced to all students this term when she visited the college to deliver assemblies for Youth Mental Health Day. She used them to raise awareness of mental health and to explain how the team will work with the school.

📷Katie Thick meets students at Launceston College

How students can get support

The NHS Mental Health Support Team provides specialist early intervention for low to moderate mental health concerns.

Students can access that support in a number of ways:

• One-to-one sessions
• Small-group sessions
• Whole-class work
• Assemblies

📷Education Mental Health Practitioner Katie Thick meets students at Launceston College

Training for parents and staff

The work goes beyond the students themselves. The team will also provide training and advice for staff and parents, covering areas including anxiety, self-confidence and resilience.

The aim is to help students, families and staff develop shared approaches and practical strategies for supporting young people’s mental health.

What the college says

Linda Blackburn, Head of School at Launceston College, said: “We are really pleased to be working with the NHS Mental Health Support Team this year. Having Katie working alongside our college community will give students, parents and staff access to additional advice and support, while helping us develop a shared approach to supporting young people’s mental health.”

“Big emotions”

Katie said: “I’m really excited to be joining the Launceston College community and getting to know the students, staff and families over the coming year. I work with young people who may be experiencing big emotions or finding things difficult, helping them to understand what they are feeling and develop ways to manage it.

“I’m looking forward to working alongside the college and supporting students in whatever way is most helpful for them.”

📷Education Mental Health Practitioner Katie Thick, right, with colleagues Dan Gibson and Freyja Baker