Wellbeing - Students
THS has a small allied health team consisting of two Mental Health Practitioners (Steph Ruberto and Livia Lo Giudice), Mental Health Nurse (Jess Manzie), Headspace Clinician (Angella Scott) and our Wellbeing Coordinator (Lauren Downes). We provide a range of different support services to students, parents, guardians and staff on issues impacting on student wellbeing. Some of these are:
- Short-term counselling for students presenting with low to moderate mental health concerns
- Psychoeducation to parents and staff on a range of different topics
- Professional development for staff, as well as collaborating with a range of other internal and external services
- External referrals where appropriate
Referrals to our Headspace Clinician Angella can be made through the school. Please contact Lauren Downes for further information.
My child needs support! How can I refer them?
Seeking help is a sign of strength and not a weakness. If you ever have concerns about your child’s mental health or wellbeing, please do not hesitate to reach out to the year coordinators or contact any of the wellbeing staff directly. Students are also able to drop-in and speak with wellbeing of their own accord if they would like to seek support.
Mental health support can also be accessed externally. You would first need to access a GP to request for a mental health care plan, which your child can then utilise to access subsidised external support through an external provider. Again, if you require any support in navigating this, please feel free to reach out to one of us and we will endeavour to work with you to access the best support in the most comfortable way for your child.
What has been happening this term?
Wellbeing have started the term off with a bang! Firstly, we are excited to announce that we have officially launched our breakfast and lunch programs. Breakfast is available from 8:15 every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday for anyone who did not have time for breakfast or would like something extra to their home breakfast. Every lunch time (excluding Thursdays) wellbeing offers a calm, quiet, and warm space for those who would like to come and chat to a friend. We also offer lunch such a soups, vege/tuna rice, fruit/fruit cups, and other snacks for anyone who forgot lunch or needs a pick-me-up. Reminder that food is only available during the first 20 minutes of lunch and that our toastie days are Mondays and Fridays!
This term the wellbeing team has been assisting with delivery of social and emotional learning with both the year 10 and year 11 cohorts. Jess (Secondary School Nurse) and Livia (Mental Health Practitioner) have been attending year 10 health classes to facilitate
sessions on supporting a friend experiencing a mental health crisis. The focus of these
sessions has been how to recognise a crisis, how to respond in a supportive way and how to
connect their friend to a safe adult. Aims of these sessions are to increase mental health
literacy and reduce stigma around seeking help for mental health problems.
Jess and Lauren (School Wellbeing Coordinator) worked with senior school staff to update the year 11 PROSPER sessions. The aim of these sessions is to help students identify healthy vs unhealthy relationship dynamics and build their skills in assertive communication and help seeking.
If you are a parent and are interested in more information around this topic, please check out these links or contact a member of the wellbeing team.
Support for parents and guardians | Medicare Mental Health
Raising a teen and mental health - Beyond Blue - Beyond Blue
Resources & Support Services
A reminder that there is a range of resources and support services for students and families to access mental health support out of school hours.
Youth Help Lines
If you need support when you’re not at school, here are some handy contacts:
Emergency services 000
Safe Steps - Family Violence 1800 015 188
Lifeline 131 114
Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1800 806 292
13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander) 13 92 76
Youth Support Services
Headspace: visit headspace.org.au to find your nearest centre or call headspace on 1800 650 890.
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
ReachOut: reachout.com.au
SANE Australia: 1800 187 263 or sane.org
National 24/7 crisis services
Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyondblue: 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au
The Wellbeing Team
Lauren, Steph, Livia, Jess and Ange