This October World Mental Health Month has been marked across the globe. This is an annual day which has been running for 30 years with the aim being raise awareness and reduce the stigma still experienced by people today around living with mental health.

The question the Auburn High Wellbeing Team would like to ask our school community is “Would you delay treatment for Diabetes or for your Broken Leg because you were worried about what other people might think at your workplace or your school Or would you get onto it and make a GP appointment? Would you simply distract yourself from your broken leg by watching a Movie and expect it to simply go away? Probably not.

You can get involved this month with the WMHD Mental Health Month Challenge, print it out and put it on your fridge and challenge your family members or team to do every one ! (See end page or attachment)

Statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate that mental health now impacts in 1 in 4 people in Australia. Next time you are in a crowd consider that is one quarter of the whole group, class, or people in a stadium. That is around 200 students at our school alone. Mental Health does not discriminate around our wealth or status or popularity. There are many celebrities and Sporting Icons whom have opened up about their emotional struggles in order to role model to young people about the importance of getting help, including Selena Gomez and Buddy Franklin. Role models are super important to young people who start to look away from their family and look to role models. 14 famous people who live with mental illness | SBS Voices

Back in the 1990’s we didn’t have teams of Wellbeing people at the school I attended like we do now. It wasn’t because there were no mental health issues it was because there was no awareness. Kids had to just deal with things. Parents in the Auburn High community may have had a similar experience to me, where people were told to “try harder” or “chin up” or just distract yourself. You cannot treat Depression with an ice cream, you need Evidenced Based Mental Health strategies which can include talking therapy, behavioural activation (structured and positive routines) or in some cases and medication.

Our goal is for every person (student, staff member or parent) to feel like they have leaders/teachers they can go to for help and that they have some simple ‘Go to’ coping strategies ready to go when required. This week we looked at 5 Finger Breathing - 5 Finger Breathing Demo (youtube.com)

I even used this strategy myself to calm my nerves before the job interview for my interview at Auburn High.

Talk to your kids or friends about mental health or feelings regularly
Remember that seeking help does not render a person weak it makes them wiser.
If you would like some help

1. See a GP your family Doctor

2. Call Beyond Blue 24/7 1300 22 4636

3. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 and they also have a WebChat option if kids don’t like phone calls.

Claire Walker and the Wellbeing Team

STEM

Georgia Mangano