STUDENT WELLBEING
2024 Student Wellbeing Team
We would love to introduce you to our members of the Wellbeing Team, located in Student Services in front of the Middle School Quadrangle.
- Kate Fisher – Mental Health Practitioner
- Shannen Bayly – Student Counsellor
- Candice Richards – Student Wellbeing/Careers Assistant
- Janine Sayers – Student Wellbeing Coordinator
- Jane Robbins – Student Wellbeing Coordinator
- Barkley – Therapy Dog
In the Wellbeing Team, we are equipped to deliver short-term intervention to support students with varying concerns and assist them in navigating external support options where required.
Once a student is referred to Student Wellbeing, we allocate the student to a team member based on their individual needs, urgency, and preference.
Short-term intervention length can vary, but will usually range from 2-10 sessions with a Wellbeing Team Member. If we deem that long-term or more intensive support is required, we will refer to an external service in consultation with the student and parent (Psychologist, Counsellor, Community Service such as Headspace etc.).
External Support Options
Headspace – Headspace offers a short-term intervention program where they offer 6-8 free sessions with a clinician. There are Headspace centres located in Lilydale (Mon-Thurs) and Knox (Mon-Fri).
Once the program is completed, the clinician is able to refer you onto other services if required.
GP/Private Psychologist – a visit to your GP opens up the pathway to seeing a psychologist. Your doctor will create a ‘Mental Health Care Plan’, which allows you eligibility to receive up to 10 subsidised sessions with a psychologist, in a calendar year.
Your doctor will also provide you with a referral to a psychologist. The Medicare rebate per session is currently approx. $89.
Counsellor – a counsellor is similar to a psychologist, though there is no referral/mental health care plan required. However, there is no Medicare rebate meaning you will pay a full fee. This fee is usually less than what you would pay for a Psychologist and will vary.
Tip: have a look at psychologists and counsellors in your area on Google. Find someone you like and who suits your needs, and compare pricing (no two professionals will charge the same fee).
Redefine Life (located in Boronia) offer a Low-Cost counselling service ($40 per 50-minute session) with provisional counsellors.
Further Information
https://www.redefinelife.com.au/low-cost-counselling-program
Here is a blog post that clearly explains the difference between psychologists and counsellors, and some issues that you may see them for.
https://www.inspirehm.com.au/inspire-blog/psychologist-vs-counsellor-who-is-best-for-me/
CYMHS (Child Youth Mental Health Service)
Eastern Health CYMHS is for children and young people up to the age of 24 years who are displaying symptoms of psychiatric disorder or severe emotional and behavioural disturbance.
The service is available to families who live in the central and outer eastern region of Melbourne.
Further information
Please note:This is not an exhaustive list. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your specific concerns for appropriate referral pathways.
How do I refer to Student Wellbeing?
Please send through an email to candice.richards@education.vic.gov.au OR studentservices@lilydalehs.vic.edu.au, to be allocated to an appropriate team member.
Students can also refer via the Student Services Referral Form, located under the star in Compass.
Free Parenting Program
Talking Teens Parenting Program Term1
Online program for parents of teenagers in the Eastern region run by ParentZone (Anglicare).
- 12 February to 25 March
- 7:00 to 9:00 pm
- Online via Zoom
This is an interactive program exploring common issues and challenges for parents of teenagers. There is no fee for participation.
Student Wellbeing Team