MAKING FRIENDS WITH WORRY

As part of promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in students, I organised Bronwyn Grieve and Helen Smith to deliver ‘Making Friends with Worry’ to all grades this week.

So what is ‘Making Friends with Worry’?

‘Making Friends with Worry’ is a fun, interactive program to explore worry and anxiety with Primary school aged children from prep to class 6 and developed by CHIRP (now part of Dhelkaya Health). The sessions vary in length and content according to grade levels and child development.

The program focuses on:

• Understanding and normalising worry
• Providing an insight into what is happening in our bodies when we worry
• Helping to understand when worry becomes something bigger
• Strategies and activities to assist when worry becomes bigger

The Making Friends with Worry Program is supported by Mount Alexander Shire Council. Thanks to Mount Alexander Shire Council funding, the program is free to Schools again in 2022. 

Many of you will be familiar with the presenters - Bronwyn Grieve, Community Health Nurse, and Helen Smith, Children’s Counsellor. Bron and Helen also offer follow up strategies and activities for teachers who would like to reinforce the learnings from the program.

We all worry but too much worry is not good for our mental health and wellbeing. Ask your child about the session. Every child received a handout from the session to share with their parents and carers. Talk to them about any worries they have. Listen. Problem solve some ways to reduce or stop the worry. Just be there. If you have any questions or would like any support, please contact me. 

I will leave you with this thought: 

Have a wonderful weekend. 

Katrina Victor-Gordon

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader