Christine's Corner 

Christine is the Wellbeing Officer at Yarrabah School and works three days a week (Tues, Wed and Fri). Christine is available to provide parents with wellbeing support and advice. 

Christine is very resourceful and has great knowledge of support services in the region. Her email is christine.battams@education.vic.gov.au

Parent Wellbeing Focus

An Important part of Parenting is looking after ourselves. 

First we are people with needs and then we are a parent. 

Parenting is demanding, both physically and emotionally. 

With the extra stresses we can lose sight of looking after ourselves, if we are stressed, tired, or exhausted it can be very tricky to be the parent we strive to be. 

Over the next few weeks we will be looking at some guide posts to help you as a person reset and recharge through these very trying times. 

Lightening the Lockdown Load (Recorded webinar)

Lockdown is hard. It hurts our kids and it’s a drain on parents.

The first time was tricky. There were challenges. For some, it was horrible. But most of us managed ok and got through it.

This time it’s different. The pressure is higher. The demands are greater. The children are more oppositional. The home learning stretch will be longer. There’s work stress, family stress, and stress about being stressed!

While we can’t click our fingers and make it magically disappear, there are real strategies that parents and children can rely on to not just survive, but thrive – even in a far-too-long lockdown. They’re simple ideas that you can start on right away.

Join Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s most trusted parenting specialists, as he shares 4 secrets to make it through the pain of the winter COVID-19 Victorian lockdown. By the end of this FREE webinar, you’ll:

• Feel reassured, with less stress and pressure around your kids, their schooling, and life
• Have concrete strategies you can start on immediately to make your family happier
• Know how to be on the same page as your partner
• Be able to develop habits and practices that will ensure your children – and YOU – can get your daily work done, even while everyone is stuck at home.

Cire Community Hubs - Isolation Survival Guide (Nutrition, Mindfulness, Daily Routines, Support)

This free Isolation Survival printable guide is packed full of nutritional support, steps to a peaceful night's sleep, guided mindfulness meditation, wellbeing support, resources and helpful links, daily routines, community support and so much more.

Mentone Community Assistance and Information Bureau Inc

Welfare / Support services

A not for profit Organisation that provides Information, Emergency Relief, Free Legal Advice, Tax Help program, Correspondence assistance, listening ear.

Mentone Community Assistance and Information Bureau offers free and confidential services delivered by trained volunteers such as

• Community Information and Referral.
• Emergency Relief Food Assistance (Boundaries apply)
• Legal Advice Service (Tuesday Evenings. Appointment required)
• Tax Help Program (Jul to Oct)
• Advocacy
• Listening Ear
• Budget Service
• Correspondence assistance

Any concerns that you have are discussed in a friendly, relaxed and safe environment. 

We Listen, We Care, We offer Support - All Welcome

Volunteer positions currently available as Community Support Worker Volunteers and Management of Committee Volunteers, please enquire at 9583 2436 or call in.

https://www.mycommunitylife.com.au/Community/Mentone-Community-Assistance-and-Information-Bureau-Inc

Partners in Wellbeing

Get support to manage stress, anxiety and improve your wellbeing.

If you are not coping or have been feeling distressed, anxious or down over several weeks, help is available through Partners in Wellbeing service.

The free service offers one-on-one support to help you improve your wellbeing, develop strategies to cope and provide emotional support when and as you need it.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this service, you need to be 16 or over and:

• experiencing increased life stressors and your usual coping strategies are not working noticing signs of anxiety and/or depression that have lasted more than a few weeks, such as:
  • low mood i.e. feeling down feeling overwhelmed and unsafe
  • low energy
  • feelings of hopelessness
  • fear, nervousness or worrying
  • avoidance of social situations
  • thoughts of self-harm or harm to others.
• are not currently using a community mental health psychosocial support service.

Carers may experience these challenges in their own right in addition to providing care to a loved one.