WELLBEING

Accessing Wellbeing

Parents/carers can access supports from Wellbeing for their young person via the Administration Office on Ph: (03) 5261 6633.

The Orange Door Outpost

Outpost now open

The Orange Door will operate an 'outpost' from Kurrambee Myaring Community Centre (KMCC), 12 Merijig Drive, Torquay one day per week.

Day: Monday

Frequency: Weekly

Time: 8.30am – 4.30pm (minus breaks)

What is the Orange Door?

A free service where people can get support for:

Family violence concerns (adult or child victim survivors, people using violence).
Child and family wellbeing support.
Connections to local family services, Aboriginal services, housing, AOD, mental health, and legal supports.
Provides information, intake, assessment and triage, secondary consultation, referrals, and safety planning.
The Orange Door team can help with referrals to appropriate providers e.g. case management, counselling, parenting programs, etc.

What is an 'outpost'?

An 'outpost' is a term used to describe a temporary location that Orange Door staff work from.

How do I contact the Orange Door outpost staff member?

Visit KMCC on a Monday and ask a member of the KMCC team to introduce you to The Orange Door staff member.
Alternatively, contact The Orange Door, Barwon on 1800 312 820 to speak to one of our team during our hours of operation.

What if my situation is urgent?

If you are in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).

The Orange Door, Barwon is located at 83 Moorabool Street, Geelong, 3220.

For further information: www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au

Social Media Age Restrictions

As you may be aware, the new social media ban for students has now started and will continue to update until taking full effect on December 10th. These age-restricted social media platforms will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or keeping accounts. This includes having ways to prevent under-16s from faking their age by using false identity documents, AI tools or deepfakes. It also means trying to stop under-16s from using VPNs to pretend to be outside Australia.

We know that changes like this can bring up questions, concerns, and challenges for young people and their families. Our priority is to support students in navigating this transition in a healthy, informed, and safe way.

Below, we’ve included links to resources and supports to help guide conversations at home and ensure students feel confident and supported during this adjustment.

Headspace - The social media ban: 7 tips for starting the conversation with a young person

Headspace - The Social Media Ban: Staying informed

E-safety Commissioner - Which Platforms are Age Restricted?

E-safety Commissioner - Social Media Age Restrictions and Your Family

For more head tohttps://www.parentingstrategies.net/

MELI

Resources to support young people and families

School holidays can be a great break, but they can also be a time when teens feel lonely, overwhelmed, or out of routine. If your young person or yourself need support — the following services are available throughout the holidays:

Headspace – 1800 650 890 (support for young people aged 12 to 25 years)
eHeadspace – https://headspace.org.au (Anonymous, confidential and free mental health support for young people and their family)
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 (free, private, and confidential telephone and online counselling service for young people aged between 5 and 25 years)
Ask Izzy – www.askizzy.org.au (Ask Izzy is a website that connects people in need with housing, a meal, money help, family violence support, counselling and much more).
Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636 (support and resources to improve mental health. The Beyond Blue Support Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for brief counselling)
Barwon Health 24hr triage service -1300 094 187 (The 24-hour phone triage team provides intake, referral, and phone support for those in crisis, and is the primary entry point for mental health services)
The Orange Door -1800 312 820 barwon@orangedoor.vic.gov.au (offers help for people experiencing family violence and assistance with the care and wellbeing of children and young people, including support for parents)
National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline - 1800 250 015 (free and confidential advice, information and counselling about alcohol and other drugs)
Lifeline – 13 11 14 (providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services)
Nurse on Call – 1300 60 60 24 (immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

If your teen is at immediate risk of harm, call 000 straight away.