From the Wellness Centre

Concerning New Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics

40% of 16 to 24 year olds reported experiencing a mental health disorder between 2020 and 2022 (nearly half (45.5%) of young women were particularly affected, up from 30% in 2007 where 32.4% of young men were affected up from 22.8% in 2007)
Mental health disorders among young people have soared by nearly 50% in 15 years
Many more young people are seeking help compared to 2007 data
LGBTIQA+ and Aboriginal and Torres St Islander people are overrepresented in these stats
Anxiety disorders were the most common condition experienced by two in five young women and one in four young men

While these statistics illustrate that more young people are struggling with their mental health, there are more young people and their loved ones seeking support.

Great Southern Grammar is consciously and proactively invested in the wellbeing of our young people and deliberately walks the talk.

It takes a village to raise a child; it takes a team of people to support a young person in their mental health journey.

GSG’s pastoral system and numerous programmes (camps, VACs, Peer Mediation, Mental Health First Aid, Year Seven's Meet My (Overhelpful) Brain, Peer Support etc.) all proactively address the mental health of our students.

Normalising help-seeking, reducing stigma, building healthy relationships by fostering cultures of cooperation and mediating conflict, understanding the developing adolescent brain, noticing glimmers and 'awe-hunting', and making decisions in service to our values are all motivating drivers for the work offered in this space.

Some Excellent Opportunities for Training Coming our Way: Maggie Dent and NSSI

Maggie Dent is coming to Perth for two events – links below.

Maggie has written many books on parenting, is mother to four male children/adults now (and doting grandmother), has a fantastic podcast and is a household name.

Her pragmatic, research-based based and engaging events are always illuminating and entertaining.

Conversations about NSSI - Hosted by Great Southern Grammar and Palmerston

Thursday 14 March from 9.00am to 1.45pm at Great Southern Grammar.

See details in the link below and register your interest with kjohnston@palmerston.org.au or with me sheryl.moncur@gsg.wa.edu.au

Conversations-About-NSSI-Course-Flyer_August-2023_Web.pdf (mhfa.com.au)

Updated List of GSG Staff who have been trained in Youth MHFA

See below the most recently updated list of colleagues who have been trained in this quite demanding, time consuming 14 hour/2 day course. This list is in the manual which is provided to students who participate in the Teen MHFA training.

The huge number of Youth MHFA trained staff reflects how seriously GSG considers mental health awareness, healthy behaviours, help seeking and stigma smashing to be.

At the beginning of the Teen MHFA training, I spend a hearty, proud few minutes inviting our students to peruse the staff list and appreciate their commitment to understanding how best to support them.

Legends:

Mrs Karen Bradbury
Ms Elinor Couper
Ms Angela Diletti
Mrs Jill Bascombe
Ms Rachel Mordy
Mr Taylor Colton
Mrs Renae O’Donnell
Mr Grant Taylor
Mrs Lisa Sounness
Mrs Alexis Stone
Mr Neil Ferreira
Ms Liz Stewart
Mr Paul Donaldson
Mrs Liz Cosh
Ms Rebecca Davies
Mr Ian Robson
Miss Ellen Smith
Ms Bea Pritchard
Mrs Emma Franklin
Mrs Nyree Mackenzie
Mr Bryce McLean
Mr Nathan Symonds
Mrs Loren O’Dwyer
Miss Katie Gunning
Mr Julian Gugenheim
Mrs Naomi Cooper
Ms Georgie Mullins
Ms Penny Simpson
Mr Gary Fullarton
Mrs Sonia Powell
Mrs Emma Poole
Mr Paul Osborne
Mrs Penni Berryman
Mr Steve Berryman
Mr Josh Pitman
Mr Tim Basten
Ms Amanda Stanborough
Mr Gavin Riches
Mrs Kristy Jaeckel

Yours in mental fitness

Ms Sheryl Moncur | School Counsellor and Teacher