From the Wellness Centre

Trauma Responsive Practice Training 

This term 11 staff are participating in this 11 module course which covers the impact of trauma on the developing brain; and offers a framework for assessing the impact of complex abuse related trauma; and outlines practice skills which promote recovery for traumatised children. Some of the topics included in the course are the developing brain, children experiencing complex trauma, trauma and memory, trauma and emotion, trauma and connection, the adolescent brain. Some of the recent learnings I gleaned from the 2023 International Trauma Conference in Boston which I attended virtually are unsurprisingly highlighted and reinforced in this course. 

I have some excellent reads to share with you which have emerged from my recent forays into professional learning: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van de Kolk (which I’ve shared before) “is the inspiring story of how a group of therapists and scientists - together with their courageous and memorable patients – has struggled to integrate recent advances in brain science, attachment research and body awareness into treatments that can free trauma survivors from the tyranny of the past”. Also, Let Your Light Shine by Ali Smith, Atman Smith and Andres Gonzalez explores “how to change a world so challenged by mistrust, trauma, and systemic racism ... when we look within and change ourselves first”. Lastly, Gabor Mate’s (with his son Daniel) The Myth of Normal challenges us to consider how health systems neglect the role that trauma exerts on our bodies and our minds. 

It's apropos to note that the TRP training we are participating in currently has emanated from the rich partnership between the Australian Childhood Foundation and the South Australian Education Department, and is grounded in the wisdom and learning from SMART (Strategies for Managing Abuse Related Trauma) which some of you may be familiar with. 

There is also training for families which might be of interest to some of our GSG community members, the link for which is here:  Trauma Responsive Practice with Families - Australian Childhood Foundation Professionals

Youth Mental Health First Aid 

In partnership with Palmerston, GSG will be presenting this 14-hour course at the Beryl Grant Centre, 14 to 15 September, which is in Week Nine of this term. Please email kjohnson@palmerston.org.au if you would like to register your interest in this training, for which there is no fee. Also, please see the flyers for further details, or email me sheryl.moncur@gsg.wa.edu.au for a chat if you wish.

(Unfortunately, the Tambellup Training has been cancelled for next month.)

Peer Mediation

I’m very happy to share with you that seven curious and courageous Year Twelve Leaders have registered for this pilot training which takes place during the 'Work Ready, Life Ready' (WRLR) Friday period three over a few successive weeks. This course is really a taster of what Peer Mediation is and isn’t, its process, the qualities of a peer mediator, its applicability and where it sits in the conflict resolution space. Last week, the students’ vibrant and insightful energies homed in on what conflict is and the qualities of a peer mediator. This week we will concentrate on the process of Peer Mediation and notice the following: that it is a structured process, that mediators are in control of the process, that the parties are in control of the outcome, that the parties take responsibility for the past and future, the mediators are impartial. In short, peer mediation involves two trained students assisting other students through a structured process to reach a resolution of a conflict, misunderstanding, or dispute. 

The course I’ve built for this shorter version of Peer Mediation is an amalgam of the New South Wales Government Education and Communities Curriculum and IREX (an international non-profit organisation providing leadership and programmes which promote peace and tolerance). I really hope that this training can become a more regular offering for interested students in the Secondary School in the future.

headspace - Albany

Yesterday morning, the Pastoral Committee were visited by Andrew Wenzel and Carl Heslop from Albany headspace, who shared with us the many services and support opportunities that young people and their families can access. Programmes such as BEST, single session appointments (which doesn’t mean only one session is available), almost immediate intake, access to GPs and many other programmes – can be further investigated by our GSG community via this link: headspace Albany | Youth Mental Health Centre & Services 

I urge our community members to google and learn more about what headspace can offer our young people and their families.

Great Southern Mental Health Services Providers

Compiled and generously shared by Tracey Waddell from WACHS.

Ms Sheryl Moncur | School Counsellor & Teacher