Mental Health & Wellbeing Student/Parent Support 

ONSITE PROVISION FOR THERAPY-BASED SERVICES

We are currently working with Ark Allied Care to facilitate an agreement that provides our families with the opportunity to privately engage a psychologist or occupational therapist onsite during school hours. 

One psychologist and behaviour support specialist can provide this service commencing this term at a reduced price for non-NDIS funded students of RPS.  Please see the attached flyer and contact Mrs. Rose or Ark Allied Care if you would like to know more. 

Next term we hope to engage the services of an occupational therapist and in the future a speech therapist. We hope to create a community hub of mental health and well-being support for our families and students. 

RUOK DAY SHOULD BE EVERYDAY AT RPS

Next Thursday will be an important day for staff, students and families, as we take the opportunity to reach out to others and simply say three important words. 

R U OK? 

This day inspires and empowers everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and start a conversation with anyone who may be struggling with life's ups and downs. You don’t need to be an expert to reach out but just a good friend and a great listener. You don’t have to solve your friend’s problem but simply start a conversation that might help. 

Before you can look out for others, you need to look out for yourself, and that’s ok. If you're not in the right headspace or you don't think you're the right person to have the conversation with, try to think of someone else in their support network who could talk to them.

To help you decide whether you’re ready to start a meaningful conversation, ask yourself:

AM I READY?

• Am I in a good headspace?
• Am I willing to genuinely listen?
• Can I give as much time as needed?

AM I PREPARED?

• Do I understand that if I ask if someone is ok, the answer could be: “No, I’m not”?
• Do I understand that I can’t ‘fix’ someone’s problems?
• Do I accept that they might not be ready to talk? Or they might not want to talk to me?

PICKED MY MOMENT? 

• Have I chosen somewhere relatively private and comfy?
• Have I figured out a time that will be good for them to chat?
• Have I made sure I have enough time to chat properly?

https://www.ruok.org.au/questions

STUDENT WELLBEING HUB

As a parent you want your child to be happy and well and to enjoy everything that school offers. 

Parents have a significant role to play in laying the foundation for their child’s wellbeing from their earliest years. When your child feels connected to their family, peers and teachers they feel safe and secure and know they’ll be supported throughout their learning journey. 

Safe and trusting relationships create a positive learning environment where wellbeing can flourish.

The following website has lots of topics, resources, and strategies to support parents 

BUTTERFLY FOUNDATION - SUPPORT FOR EATING DISORDERS & BODY IMAGE ISSUES 

Help and Support

Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact:

• Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or support@butterfly.org.au
• Find useful articles & resources via Butterfly’s COVID Help Hub
• Find a professional via Butterfly’s Referral Database
• Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline on 1300 550 23
• For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14