Mental Health 

& Wellbeing update

Children's Wellbeing Continuum

What is the Children’s Wellbeing Continuum? 

The Children’s Wellbeing Continuum is an evidence-based tool developed to support conversations around children’s wellbeing. The tool provides a snapshot of a child’s social and emotional wellbeing at a point in time. 

The Continuum has four anchor points that range from “Good” through to “Coping”, “Struggling” and “Overwhelmed”.

By enabling parents, teachers and service providers to more easily discuss and reflect on wellbeing, the Continuum can support health literacy, and early identification and action when children are struggling.

How will we be using the Children’s Wellbeing Continuum?

Students will have their own individual copy of the Continuum on their desk. Each morning, they will use a counter or paperclip to indicate where they’re sitting on the Continuum at that point in time. 

Students know that during the day, their mood can shift up and down- this is very normal. It’s important that we are able to identify when we begin to shift from the “Good” and “Coping” sections and look at strategies to help us manage our emotions.

What can each section on the Continuum mean? 

GOOD-

If we are feeling ‘good’ we are:

-happy or content.

-ready to learn.

-feeling safe.

-settled or peaceful.

-excited or full of positive energy.

We can still be ‘good’ even if

-We have a little worry or concern, but we know that we can sort it out, or someone else can help us. 

-We aren’t stuck thinking about it. 

-We might feel a little bored or annoyed by something, but we can still be ‘good’!

COPING-

If we are ‘coping’ we could be feeling:

-a bit sad or down.

-frustrated or bothered. 

-worried or disappointed about something.

-tired, or feeling like you can’t do your very best.

-you might not be feeling 100%, but you know you’ll be ok. 

STRUGGLING-

If we are ‘struggling’ we could be feeling:

-quite angry or upset.

-really disappointed in ourselves or feeling like things are really hard. 

- feeling low or anxious/worried. 

- feeling like we might need help.

- But, despite struggling, we are using all our energy to keep trying. 

OVERWHELMED-

If we are ‘overwhelmed’ we could be feeling:

-very angry or extremely sad. 

-like it’s hard to manage our emotions.

-feeling like we can’t think properly.

-struggling to solve our problems.

-feeling a bit hopeless.

-feeling unsafe or scared.

-feeling extremely stuck. 

To be our best selves, we need to know how we are feeling. 

By letting others know how we feel, they can help us, and we can help them! 

Thanks,

Miss Coffey 

Looking for additional resources or support for you, your child/ren and family in the mental health and wellbeing space?! Why not check out these free, online and face-to-face programs and courses on offer. 

CatholicCare Victoria

CatholicCare Victoria offer a support system for parents and families. They will be running a number of FREE parent information sessions. 

Current sessions topics include:

Circle of Security

Tuning in to Kids

Kids and Worry

Building Resilient Kids

Knowing Your Teen

My Kids and Me and

Stress Busters 

Click on the CatholicCare PDF link to download the entire Term 3 flyer or use the QR code to register.