Engagement & Wellbeing Page

Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on First

Parents and carers spend enormous amounts of time looking after everyone else. It can feel selfish, or just impossible, to make space for your own wellbeing. However, looking after yourself is also one of the most valuable things you can do for your children.

When adults receive the support they need, they are often better able to respond calmly, stay emotionally available and manage the inevitable stresses of family life. Children also learn an important lesson: mental health matters, difficult times can be talked about and asking for help is a sign of strength.

Putting on your own oxygen mask does not require expensive wellness activities or hours of spare time. It might mean telling someone you are struggling, making a GP appointment, accepting practical help, going for a walk, protecting time for sleep or speaking with a counsellor.

You do not need to wait until you reach breaking point. Support is available locally, online and over the phone, and several services are completely free.

Free local and online support

• Meli Family and Relationship Counselling: Free counselling for individuals, couples, parents and children across the Geelong region. No referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan is required. Face-to-face, telephone and online appointments are available. Call 03 5226 8900 during business hours. Learn more.
• Meli Family Support: Free drop-in assistance for parents experiencing family challenges or wanting parenting advice, information or help connecting with other services. Call 03 5226 8900. Meli also runs parenting groups and programs throughout the year. Explore family support.
• Greater Geelong–Queenscliffe Mental Health and Wellbeing Local: Free support for people aged 26 and over experiencing mental health or substance-use concerns. No referral, Medicare card or Mental Health Treatment Plan is required. Walk in at 181 Moorabool Street, Geelong, or call 1800 573 151. Service information.
• Medicare Mental Health Check In: Free online and telehealth support for Australians aged 16 and over experiencing stress, low mood, excessive worry, poor sleep or feeling overwhelmed. No referral or diagnosis is required. Call 1800 595 212 or visit the service online.
• The Orange Door Barwon: Free support for families needing extra help caring for children, as well as BUT NOT LIMITED TO people experiencing family violence. Families can contact the service themselves—no professional referral is needed. Call 1800 312 820 or visit 83 Moorabool Street, Geelong. Find out more.

Lower or moderate-cost options

• Start with your GP: Ask about a Mental Health Treatment Plan and Medicare-rebated appointments with a psychologist, eligible social worker or occupational therapist. Some practitioners bulk bill or offer reduced fees. Before booking, ask: What is the full fee, Medicare rebate and out-of-pocket gap?
• Private counselling or psychology: Ocean Grove, the Bellarine and Geelong have a range of practitioners offering in-person and telehealth appointments. Fees vary considerably, so ask about concession rates, sliding-scale fees and private health rebates. Use the government-supported Healthdirect Service Finder to locate registered services.

If support is needed urgently

Call Barwon Health Mental Health Triage on 1300 094 187 for 24-hour mental health information, assessment and referral. Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14, and Beyond Blue offers free brief counselling on 1300 22 4636. If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.

School Holiday Fun on a Budget

Looking for affordable ways to keep the children entertained these school holidays? Here are some local ideas for primary-aged families.

• Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival 

  14–24 September, 9:00 am–4:00 pm, throughout central Geelong. The program includes free activities, performances and creative experiences, alongside some ticketed events. The free Big Wonder Weekend will be held on 19–20 September. View the festival program.

• Free Family Weekend at the National Wool Museum 

  The museum is offering free entry on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September as part of Big Wonder Weekend, with family-friendly creative activities. National Wool Museum information.

• Become a Junior Ranger 

  Parks Victoria runs free Junior Ranger activities during school holidays, including wildlife discovery and nature-based activities. Bookings may be required. Check the Junior Rangers program for local sessions.

• Visit Geelong Gallery 

  Entry is free and the gallery is open daily from 10:00 am–5:00 pm. Children could choose a favourite artwork, sketch it or create their own story about what is happening in the picture. See what’s on.

• Free Library Activities

  Ocean Grove, Drysdale, Queenscliff and Geelong libraries regularly offer free school-holiday craft, LEGO, technology and storytelling sessions. Some activities require bookings and can fill quickly. Check the library events calendar.

Supporting your Child through Play Therapy, Counselling and Family Support

If your child is finding things tough at the moment; big emotions, anxiety, trouble settling at school, or the effects of a difficult experience at home, play therapy and childhood counselling can make a real difference. These approaches give children a safe, age-appropriate way to process what's going on for them, often through play rather than conversation alone, and can also help build emotional regulation and strengthen relationships with the adults around them.

There are several free and heavily subsidised, local and state-wide services worth knowing about:

Bellarine Community Health offers individual and family play therapy and counselling for children aged 0–12, with a focus on emotional regulation, processing difficult experiences, and supporting the parent–child relationship. Details and referral information: bch.org.au/counselling

Step Thru Care, run through Western Victoria Primary Health Network, is a free mental health and wellbeing support pathway that includes children under 12 among its priority groups. Families can self-refer, or we can support with a referral directly. More information: westvicphn.com.au – Step Thru Care

The Orange Door is a free Victorian Government service supporting child, family and youth wellbeing (as well as family violence support) — no referral is needed to get in touch. Use the Ocean grove drop in centre on Tuesday mornings or  orangedoor.vic.gov.au

Not sure where to start, or think a school referral might help open the door to one of these services? You're welcome to book a time with Kellie, Gill or Mel to talk through what's going on for your child and whether a school referral could support your connection to one of these services.

Please contact the school office to arrange a time.

Surfside Primary School Supports