New counselling room at Beacon Hill High School

Former pupils of Beacon Hill High School have paid it forward by creating a space where current pupils can learn to cope with their feelings and experiences in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.

Beacon High School Alumni pooled resources to set up a counselling room, in prefabricated building, just next to the school hall.

They launched the room on Friday July 26 where alumni member Juven Rittles said it was “a seed of paying it forward”.

“It is where learners will enter weak and leave stronger, where families will enter in despair and leave with hope; and where our own teachers can go when they are feeling low, leaving motivated and encouraged,” he said.

He was flanked by fellow alumni members would had a hand in raising funds and constructing the room, decorating and making it a sanctuary for the school’s community to use.

“We believe that mental health and wellness is a growing phenomenon and are just as important as physical health. We are committed to helping our people heal from deep within.

“If we can sharpen the minds of our people, we will see a thriving community,” he said.

Metro South Education District school psychologist Vanessa Ann Cross congratulated the school for taking steps to “normalise” getting help for mental health and helping to remove the stigma.

She said with the building of the counselling room and the creation of a safe space on the school premises pupils will learn that it is “okay” to seek help and talk about what is bothering them.

Ms Cross said the school was indeed a beacon for the community to reach out for help.

Social worker Brumilda van Wyk, who is based at the school, said she would be assessing pupils, refer them to relevant resources and provide counselling for them to become better.

“We deal with teenage pregnancy, support learners who do not have support systems, and refer pupils to organisations where they have experimented or are using substances for rehabilitation.”

Ms Van Wyk said a confidential space is very important for pupils to feel comfortable to speak up and seek help, so they can improve themselves.

“The space is a really good thing for our children,” she said.

Principal Melisha Benjamin said she was most grateful for the alumni’s contribution and support to the school.

“We have birds (pupils) coming to us with broken wings, we keep them and care for them so when they leave they can spread their winds and fly high out,” she said.

She signed a contract in taking ownership of the room, which the school is now responsible for maintaining.

Head girl Siphokazi Sityesi said the space made it conducive for pupils and staff to face their problems head on.

She thanked the alumni and staff for supporting pupils through counselling.