Wellbeing News - R U OK DAY.
Creating Futures Together
Meet The Team
The wellbeing team comprises of Celine Tsang, the Student Wellbeing Leader/ Counsellor, and Fosia Mohamud, the Mental Health Practitioner. We have enjoyed getting to know and support the young people of WHSC in semester one. We are excited to continue to provide a safe space where student wellbeing and mental health is supported and advocated for.
My name is Celine Tsang. I joined the WHSC Wellbeing team at the start of Term 3 in 2022 as Counsellor and have stepped into the wellbeing leader role. I have a Masters in Counselling with Victoria University, and am a registered counsellor with the Australian Counsellor Association. I have worked with several schools and assisted students with their mental health. My favourite color this year is grey-blue, I speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese, I still love spicy food, I still love dogs, come say hi.
I believe in autonomy, honesty, and non-judgment. We offer a safe space for students to explore their emotions and vulnerability. All feelings are acceptable, and there is no such thing as “you shouldn’t feel that way”, but rather what you want to do about it. Organise a time with us to see what strategies work best for you 😊
My name is Fosia Mohamud. I Joined the WHSC team at the end of term three in 2021 as the Mental Health Practitioner (MHP). I am a qualified Social Worker (completed Masters of Social Work at La Trobe University) and have worked in various settings over the last 10 years in the Health and Public Service Sectors.
I prefer tea (with ginger) over coffee and love anything salted caramel. I’m enjoying working at WHSC in a role that focuses on mental health in the school setting, where early intervention can be facilitated. I strongly believe everyone has the key to good mental health; sometimes, we just need a guiding hand to access that key.
In addition to providing counselling and support to students, I also oversee wellbeing initiatives and targeted programs at the school. We encourage students and staff to be involved in mental health awareness as a whole school approach. Students and staff are welcome to reach out to me to find out how they can be involved.
Student Counsellor
We are excited to have a counselling student join our wellbeing team who is in the final stages of her Bachelor of Arts Therapy. Madeleine Mitchell - (Maddie) joined our team in term two and will be with us for term three. Maddie has already commenced engaging with a number of our students. Below are her reflections:
My name is Maddie and I have had the privilege of being a part of the WHSC Wellbeing team completing my final placement. I am a creative Arts Therapist who works in a multi-modal, client-centred way. During this time, I have worked with a number of students facilitating both counselling and Arts Therapy sessions.
As an Arts Therapist I use art as a way for students to express emotions and communicate without words. Arts Therapy is process-based and doesn’t require any skills or experience in visual art, it’s about having space to play and express yourself!
I have a beautiful cat that I talk about all the time, I love reading and being in nature.
To book in a session just fill in the Wellbeing student referral form below!
Wellbeing Space and Referral Process
We have revamped the wellbeing space and our new location is between the canteen and staff room. All students are welcome.
Parents can contact the Learning and Wellbeing Leader (previously known as the Year Level Coordinators) to discuss any wellbeing concerns and the referral process.
As a first point of contact, students are encouraged to raise any wellbeing concerns with their teachers and the Learning and Wellbeing Leaders for referral. Students can also self-refer for wellbeing supports via student referral form-see below link. Referral forms can also be accessed via the wellbeing office, which is open to all students. Wellbeing staff will be in touch with students as soon as possible.
We encourage all parents and students to flag any wellbeing concerns early, so we can provide early intervention. Counselling sessions are confidential between students and the wellbeing team; unless there are any safety risks identified.
If you would like any information regarding mental health supports/ mental health themes covered in the school newsletter, please get in touch with our Mental Health Practitioner-Fosia (fosia.mohamud@education.vic.gov.au)
SPECIAL REPORT: Respectful Relationships
‘Respectful Relationships’ encompasses the foundation upon which positive interactions, understanding, and empathy are built within a school community. Wheelers Hill Secondary College is committed to fostering an environment that values and promotes respect in all interactions among students, teachers and staff as it is essential for creating a safe and inclusive space where everyone feels heard, valued and supported.
Fostering a nurturing environment of respectful relationships within your family holds the key to not only harmonious living, but also improved academic outcomes for your children. As parents and caregivers, embracing the art of teaching children about respect at a young age sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy interactions and empathetic understanding. It will help cultivate a positive environment where communication flourishes, conflicts are resolved constructively, and bonds are fortified.
Teaching children to respect themselves and others will open up avenues for both personal growth and academic achievement. Fostering an environment where respect is not just a word, but a practised behaviour, will empower young people with essential life skills. Effective communication, active listening, and the art of compromise, will provide your child with a solid foundation that will transcend family interactions and help them collaborate effectively with peers, teachers and the broader community.
Equipping children with an understanding of healthy versus unhealthy relationships is an important aspect of their development. It will guide them to make informed choices, foster positive connections, and set boundaries that contribute to their emotional wellbeing.
Understanding the nuances between healthy and unhealthy relationships provides children with the essential tools to navigate their social world, build self-esteem, and cultivate meaningful relationships.
In this edition of SchoolTV, learn how to empower young people in healthy interactions to embrace differences and forge connections that honour their self-worth. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to this month's edition https://whsc.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/respectful-relationships
Upcoming workshop
Let’s Talk About Respect, Equality & Relationships
Do you ever worry about a friend’s relationship? Do your friends often come to you for support? Do you want to make a positive impact in your life, family an community? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then this training is for you!
FREE Training For Young People Aged 15 – 25.
When: Wednesday 6 September 2023
Time: 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Where: Monash Youth Services, Level 1, 2 Euneva Ave, Glen Waverley
Click here to register: Let's Talk About: Respect, Equality, and Relationships Tickets | TryBooking Australia
Topics that will be covered include:
- Expectations and relationships
- Red flags vs. green flags in relationships
- What is intimate partner violence and how prevalent is it?
- Gender as a cause of intimate partner and family violence
- What are the signs?
- How can I help someone who may be at risk?
- Where can someone find support?
- How do I look after myself and manage my own safety when looking after a friend?
- How can I change the story? Ending family violence is everyone’s responsibility.
Together, let's create a world free from family violence, where every person is valued, and respect takes centre stage in our relationships.
For more information visit MYS - Let's Talk.
Upcoming event at WHSC
R U OK? Lunch Time Activity
The Wellbeing Team invites all students and staff to come along and participate in R U OK? lunchtime activity on Thursday the 14th of September 2023. It will be a great opportunity to connect with each other, play some games and get some resources from a couple of our local service providers. We will have representatives from Headspace Syndal and City of Monash coming to connect with us.
R U OK? DAY - COME JOIN US
When: Thursday 14th of September 2023
Where: If weather permits, outside the wellbeing office, in front of the canteen. Otherwise in the Library.
Time: Lunch time-1:15 pm-2
If you have any questions, reach out to Fosia via teams’ message or email Hope to see you all there.
Resources
Headspace: 24/7 phone counselling service for 12 to 25 year olds.
P: 1800 650 890
www.headspace.org.au
E-Headspace: 24/7 online counselling service for 12 to 25 year olds.
www.eheadspace.org.au
BeyondBlue: 24-hour Phone and online counselling for mental health.
P: 1300 22 46 36
BeyondBlue also have a series of podcasts on various topics.
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/not-alone
Lifeline: 24-hour phone crisis support and suicide prevention services.
P: 131 114
www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/online-services/crisis-chat
Kids Help Line: 24/7 free phone and online counselling for 13 to 25 year olds.
P: 1800 55 1800
www.kidshelpline.com.au
Q-Life/Switchboard: Free Online and Phone Counselling, information and advice LGBTIQ peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender.
P: 1800 184 527
www.qlife.org.au/resources/chat
VicHealth: Health promotion enabling people to increase control and over and improve health. Physical and Wellbeing activities: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au
5 Ways to Wellbeing: Introducing 5 ways to improve your psychological and emotional health: https://5waystowellbeing.org.au/
1800 RESPECT: 24/7 free online and telephone counselling for Family Violence Affected Family Members.
P: 1800 737 732
www.1800respect.org.au
Men’s Line: 24/7 Support, referrals and counselling for men over the phone and online.
P: 1300 78 99 78
www.mensline.org.au
Suicide Callback Line: 24/7 Phone counselling, online counselling and Video Chat.
P: 1300 659 467
www.suicidecallback.org.au
Parent Line: State wide telephone counselling and support service for all Victorian parents and carers of children from 0-18 years. Experienced social workers, psychologists and family therapists can give families counselling and information around a wide range of parenting issues.
P: 13 22 89
Black Dog Institute provides a free online resilience course – MindStrength - for 14 to 16 years, as well as their parents / carers.
This site also provides information posters – one for students and the other for parents: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/education-services/schools/school-resources/mindstrength/
Blokes Psychology has offices based in Scoresby. They are a unique service as their primary target client group are males from the age of 5 onwards – they also work with people who want to learn how to support and communicate with the males in their life:
https://blokespsychology.com.au
Fosia Mohamud-Mental Health Practitioner.
On behalf of the wellbeing team.