Wellbeing Matters 

Mental Health Month

As October 10th is World Mental Health Day, we recognise all of October as being Mental Health Month. This is a time dedicated both to raising awareness and reducing stigma around mental health, as well as checking in with yourself and doing the things you need to show yourself care. The theme for 2026 is Together We Thrive; as the world changes and things begin to feel uncertain, it’s important to seek out and strengthen connections to the people around us, both within and outside the school community.

This month, we encourage everyone to think about how they’re travelling and to carve out time for self-care. Mental Health Australia have put together a wonderful calendar of activities for the month – see how many you can do! The Wellbeing team are here for all students who are wanting information and support around their mental health.

Finishing Year 12? Things to Consider

We said goodbye to all our wonderful Year 12s last Friday at our Reflections assembly. It was a day of tears, laughter and fond memories of time spent at MGSC. Some of our Year 12s are shifting into VCE exam preparation mode, others are looking at their next steps at TAFE, and some might even be getting ready to take their first steps into the workforce. Whichever pathway you are on, there’s lots to consider when turning 18 and finishing school, so let’s go through some key areas:.

HEALTH

Anyone over the age of 15 can apply for their own Medicare card, which you can use to make and attend your own medical appointments. A lot of medical services are free or low cost when you have Medicare, but not all of them! Look for services that say they are bulk billed for more cost-effective options. To get your own Medicare card, all you need is to make your own account on My Gov, link your Medicare and request a new card. 

Check out the links below for more information:

Get your own Medicare card and number: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/have-your-own-medicare-card-and-number-if-youre-15-or-older-and-enrolled-medicare?context=21796

Healthcare service finder (includes bulk-billing filter option): https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services

MONEY

Many Year 12s going into further study or apprenticeships are eligible for certain Centrelink payments. Keep in mind that every payment has different requirements including means and asset testing (checking how much money you/your family already earn), so do your research and don’t be afraid to go into a Centrelink centre to ask questions. Receiving certain payments also means that you get a health care card, which makes buying medications and seeing your doctor cheaper. Here are some of the main payments and financial support options Centrelink provides to school leavers:

• Youth Allowance (for full-time tertiary students, apprentices, or job seekers): https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/youth-allowance
• ABSTUDY (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students or apprentices): https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/abstudy
• Student Start-up Loan (a $1000+ loan students receiving either Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY can apply for): https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/student-start-up-loan

For more payments and information, you can use Centrelink’s Payment and Service Finder: https://www.centrelink.gov.au/apps/clkonline_cof/payment-service-finder/payment-service-finder-start 

Safety

Finishing school is a very exciting time full of celebrations, but this also comes with some serious risks. It’s important to plan ahead and to know what to do if things take a turn and you or someone else is in danger. If in doubt, call 000. Check out these links for more info:

How to party (and get home in one piece): http://au.reachout.com/challenges-and-coping/alcohol-and-drugs/how-to-party

Red Frogs/Schoolies: https://redfrogs.com.au/programs/schoolies

Am I old enough? Common legal issues for young people:https://content.legalaid.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-06/vla-resource-am-i-old-enough.pdf

WELLBEING

The end of Year 12 classes marks the opening to a world of both new opportunities and often a lot of uncertainty. It’s very normal for school leavers to feel unsure or even scared as they figure out their next steps. If you are wanting some support during this time, it’s a great opportunity to see what is on offer outside of the MGSC Wellbeing team. Here are some of the main options for mental health and wellbeing support:

Your university/TAFE’s student services department – most tertiary institutions have their own free services for enrolled students, including counselling and opportunities to discuss other tricky things like pathways and finances. You should be able to find out what your uni or TAFE has on offer on their website.

Headspace – headspace offers low-cost services for all young adults until they turn 25. They are one of the most flexible options offering both telehealth and online chat options too. You can set up either once-off sessions when you need, or you can organise regular ongoing sessions with the same worker if you go to a GP and get a mental health treatment plan. You can find out more about our local headspace centre in Bentleigh here:https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/bentleigh/

Private clinicians – these are clinicians like Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Counsellors who work out of their own practice and aren’t part of a bigger health service like headspace. You get to have a bit more say on who you start working with compared to other services, but be aware that you’ll need the mental health treatment plan from your GP and that the fees can be higher. Google is your friend if you’re wanting to find options in your area!

You can read more about dealing with uncertainty about the future as a Year 12 here: https://au.reachout.com/study-work-and-money/school-and-study/handling-fear-about-the-future-year-12-student-guide

We in the Wellbeing team wish all our Year 12s the very best!

Wellbeing Team