Wellbeing
Wellbeing support during the school holidays
This guide provides tips to continue looking after your mental health and wellbeing during the school holidays and services to reach out to if you need support.
Actions to support positive mental health over the school holidays
- Exercise boosts mood and mental health – make it fun!
- Nourish your brain by eating healthily – it will also improve your mood
- Prioritise sleep to support mental and emotional wellbeing
- Explore relaxation techniques and coping strategies
- Stay in touch and catch up with friends and loved ones
- Make time to do things you enjoy
- Practice positive self-talk – and remember you are not alone
- Seek professional help if needed.[1]
Smiling Mind gives you tips on looking after yourself, understanding and managing emotions, being mindful, being kind to yourself, navigating uncertainty and preparing for change.
You may find that these actions are not enough to look after your mental health. Here are some signs you may need some support.
Signs that you or a friend may need mental health support
Keep an eye out and seek professional help for changes that last two or more weeks such as:
- Loss of interest or involvement in activities normally enjoyed
- Feeling ‘low’, unusually stressed or worried
- Ordinary things get harder
- Being easily irritated or angry
- Taking more dangerous risks, like using alcohol or drugs
- Withdrawal or feeling overwhelmed
- Difficulties with concentration and motivation
- Having a lot of negative thoughts
- Changing in sleeping and eating
Mental health support
- Your local GP can provide you with additional support
- headspace Counselling:Victorian Government secondary school students including those who have just finished schooling can access counselling services from headspace. During the holidays, you can self-refer by calling your local headspace centre.
- eheadspace, online and phone support and counselling to young people aged 12 to 25 and their families and friends: 1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au/eheadspace
- Kids Helpline, online and phone counselling for young people aged 5 to 25: 1800 551 800 www.kidshelpline.com.au
- Lifeline, crisis support and suicide prevention for all Australians: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
- Beyond Blue, online and phone counselling for individuals experiencing depression and anxiety and their families: 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au
- Head to Help, digital mental health resources from Australian organisations: 1800 595 212 www.headtohelp.org.au/
- Suicide Call Back Service, online, phone and video counselling for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts: 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
- contacting 000 if you are in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others.
Self-harm and suicide prevention resources
- Getting a mental health care plan (ReachOut)
- What you need to know about self-harm (headspace)
- How to help when someone is suicidal (SANE Australia)
Wellbeing Team