Mental Health Awareness Month

October is Mental Health Awareness Month! During this period of heightened challenges, apprehension, excitement and trepidation, it is more important than ever, for all of us to educate ourselves on how to support student's mental health and wellbeing. We are excited to share with you some resources, tips and strategies on how to nurture good mental health and wellbeing (for both yourselves and our students) through coming weeks. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Wellbeing Team at Ringwood SC, who are always available to respond any questions or concerns.

Stay safe all.

To begin you can encourage students & staff to reflect on their own mental health
- For staff: What is good mental health (headsup.org.au) Where are they on the continuum?
- For staff & students: Self-assessment Tool - Act Belong Commit
Resources for promoting mindfulness:
- 5-Minute Meditation - Headspace;
- Mindfulness exercises | Free mp3 audio series for download (livingwell.org.au) or go to the Headspace app.
- relaxationtechniques.pdf (blackdoginstitute.org.au)
Resources for promoting gratitude:
- How to start a gratitude journal (headspace.org.au)
- https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-gratitude/
Resources for promoting kindness:
- https://www.wellbeingaustralia.com.au/the-power-of-random-acts-of-kindness/
- https://youtu.be/O9UByLyOjBM (video about the science of kindness)Start typing your article in here

Virtual Mental Health Carnival Competition

Thank-you to everyone who entered the Virtual Mental Health Carnival Competition at the end of term 3. The winners for the 4 categories are:

Junior School – Angus Jacka (7I)

Middle School – Imogene Prince (9K)

Senior School – Caitlin Dowding (11G)

Staff/Parents - Jacqueline Godfrey

Ms Anna Jenkins

Mental Health Practitioner

I CAN Leadership Program

In Term 4 Ringwood Secondary College is hosting the I CAN leadership program. The program is available to students who have an autism diagnosis, or demonstrate some autistic qualities. It is facilitated by the I CAN Network which is Australia’s first social enterprise founded by Autistic people.

The mentoring program is designed to empower people on the Spectrum to have an ‘I CAN’ attitude and inspire their peers with the ‘awe’ in AWEtism. The point of difference with this program is that it is delivered by mentors on the Spectrum, typically people who are at university or TAFE or a young professional on the Spectrum. In addition, staff professional development will be held in order to spread the impact of the program beyond the individual students selected to attend.

Georgina Tangey

Student Counsellor

Body Project Australia

This may be of interest for some of your young women aged 14-18 years

Looking at body image:

• Learning about what the appearance-ideal is and the costs of pursuing this ideal

• Exploring ways of building resistance to the pressures to look a certain way

• Discover ways to challenge our personal body-related concerns

• Encouraging a positive outlook about our bodies

Virtual Art Class

Headspace Knox are facilitating a virtual art class for young people.

This year we want to acknowledge that "small things start big things", so every young person who registers for the art class will receive a FREE self-care pack!

When:

Thursday 14th of October 5pm-6pm

Where:

Zoom - link to be provided

BYO art supplies:

Participants will need paper and something to draw with - pens, texters, pencils, or paint if they prefer. paint!

How:

To register contact Caity or Finn at 97357900 or email caity.cox@headspaceknox.com.au

Spots are limited.

RSC News

Issue 10 · 15 Oct 2021

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