RIPPONLEA PRIMARY SCHOOL

Mental Health & Wellbeing Student/Parent Support 

Articles, Videos & Resources

RU OKAY DAY? -THIS THURSDAY 

I’m Here to Hear because a conversation could change a life

 

R U OK? Day is an annual National Day of Action dedicated to reminding people to ask family, friends, and colleagues, ‘Are you ok?’. This year’s R U OK? Day falls on Thursday 14 September.

 

The purpose is to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them on a regular basis to make a difference to anyone who might be struggling. It’s a way for us to reach out and demonstrate that we genuinely care. 

 

This year’s message is “I’m here to hear” Because a conversation could change a life. With life’s ups and downs that challenge us all, the chances are you may know someone who is struggling. We don’t need to wait until someone is visibly distressed to meaningfully ask them how they are really going. 

 

We all have the right to work in a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where we feel supported. We encourage everyone across the department to have wellbeing conversations with their colleagues.

 

This R U OK? Toolkit provides some practical tools and strategies for us to have these wellbeing conversations within our teams not just on R U OK? Day, but throughout the year. Make asking R U OK? part of everyday.

 

These conversations are a great way for all of us to build on the Whole of Victorian Government Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter and play an active role in creating positive wellbeing experiences at work.

 

Take time to listen to your team members, encourage them, support them, and check in with them regularly. Use the resources and supports available to you for guidance.

 

You can watch the R U OK Day 2023 video here and visit the R U OK Day website for more useful resources.

 

Follow the R U OK? four steps:

  1. Ask R U OK?
  2. Listen with an open mind
  3. Encourage action 
  4. Check in

 

Be respectful – some individuals may not want to have that conversation with you, and that’s ok. In this instance, your role might be about reminding them of available wellbeing supports and offering practical solutions to support them with their work.

 

Empathise - we all go through times when we might be struggling to cope with the multiple demands placed on us – both in and outside of work.

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID 

In 2000, Betty Kitchener, AM, an educator and mental health consumer, in partnership with her husband, Professor Tony Jorm, a mental health researcher, created the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Program in Australia. The aim was to extend the concept of first aid training to include mental health problems so that participants were empowered to provide better initial support to someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. 

 

Mental illnesses are common in the Australian community, and young people are at the highest risk. Studies have shown that Mental Health First Aid training improves knowledge, reduces stigmatising attitudes, and increases first-aid actions towards people with mental health problems.  Early intervention can prevent problems from becoming more serious. Whilst all of our staff are trained in basic First Aid, we now have three staff member who have completed the MHFA program and are available to support student wellbeing - they are Luca Dickinson, Marta Campbell and Lydia Ioannidis. 

 

 

MINDFUL MUSHKINS

At Ripponlea, we place a paramount emphasis on the well-being and development of our students. To further this commitment, we have partnered with Isabelle Russell, the founder of Mindful Mushkins, who brings an impressive decade-long background as a globally experienced teacher and illustrator. Her profound insight into captivating children's interests and keeping them engaged makes her an invaluable asset to our team.

 

The Mindful Mushkins program uses creative and explorative storytelling techniques to teach resilience and wellbeing. Mindful Mushkins have created a unique fantasy world that places value on the process of learning, physical spaces, strategies and people.

 

Through this program, our students stand to gain a multitude of advantages, such as:

  • Understanding how to set goals and work towards achieving them.
  • Understanding complex topics and terminology such as grit, mindfulness, and resilience.
  • Taking accountability, responsibility and ownership for our actions.
  • Practicing mindfulness with simple and effective explanations of ‘why’.
  • Developing healthy habits and maintaining a positive mindset.
  • Equipping children with essential tools to cope with stress and practice self-regulation.
  • Increased knowledge of how to find personal resilience and positive self talk.

We are deeply committed to the well-being of our students and believe that this partnership with Isabelle and Mindful Mushkins will play a pivotal role in nurturing their holistic growth and development. Furthermore, we have invested in one more Music Therapy class for all students next term focusing on the theme of 'Friendship' and 'Empathy'. 

RIPPONLEA PRIMARY SCHOOL IS JOINING THE THRIVING KIDS & PARENTS SCHOOLS PROJECT

 

Dear parents/carers, 

 

As part of the Thriving Kids and Parents Schools Project, you are invited to attend three highly relevant Triple P – Positive Parenting seminars from one of the most effective evidence-based programs in the world, FREE of charge. These interactive seminars will be delivered to parents/carers of children aged 4 – 12 years from your school/via a videoconferencing platform.

 

The three interconnected seminars will provide you with a toolkit of practical strategies to help your child thrive. These strategies will help you guide your child’s behaviour, manage everyday worries, and build healthy peer relationships. 

 

Attending all three seminars will provide you with the strategies you need to best support your child’s development.

  • The Power of Positive Parenting (Triple P Seminar) helps you to understand why kids behave the way they do and introduces practical strategies to support your child’s social and emotional development.
  • The Helping Your Child to Manage Anxiety (Fear-Less Triple P Seminar) is designed to equip you with the skills and strategies you need to support your child to manage their emotions and overcome challenges.
  • The Keeping your Child Safe from Bullying (Resilience Triple P Seminar) helps you maintain good communication with your child, develop positive peer relationships, and address conflict and bullying.

How can I get involved?    

  1. Register for the seminar series and complete a short (approximately 15 – 20 minutes) online questionnaire.
  2. Attend the three online seminars in the TKPSP series (90 – 120 minutes each seminar). 
  3. Complete post-seminar series questionnaires 6 weeks and 12 weeks following the registration. Each questionnaire will take around 15 minutes to complete and will help us understand how helpful the strategies have been.  

 

Yes, I want to be involved. What’s next? 

Register through this link: https://able.adelaide.edu.au/education/thriving-kids-and-parents/for-parents#power-of-positive-parenting 

 

If you have any questions, you can contact the project team at: thrivingkidsandparents@uq.edu.au