Student Wellbeing
Coping After a Critical Incident: Supporting Our College Community
In light of recent events, we want to acknowledge the impact that critical incidents can have on our College Community. The safety and wellbeing of our students is always our highest priority. It’s crucial we support each other through challenging times, and we’re here to offer guidance, resources and support.
Experiencing a critical incident can bring about a range of emotional responses, including shock, sadness, anger and confusion. It’s important to recognise these feelings are natural and part of the healing process.
Everyone reacts differently, and there is no right or wrong way to feel or respond. What’s essential is that we create a supportive environment where we can address these emotions constructively.
Ways To Cope and Support Each Other
Open Communication: Encourage and model open conversations about feelings and experiences. For students, talking with trusted friends, teachers, coordinators or College Counsellors can be particularly helpful. Parents and Carers also play a crucial role by being available to listen and offer comfort.
Create and Make Use of a Support Network: Lean on those close to you if and when needed and don’t forget to check-in on those that matter to you.
Maintain Routines: Keeping up with regular activities and routines can provide a sense of normalcy and stability. While it’s important to acknowledge and address the impact of the incident, maintaining daily routines can help in managing stress and anxiety.
Practice Self-Care: As always follow practices that promote wellbeing, such as exercise, healthy eating and getting adequate sleep. Taking care of physical health can have a positive impact on emotional resilience.
Engage in Positive Activities: Participate in activities that bring joy and relaxation, whether it’s a hobby, creative outlet, practicing gratitude and mindfulness or simply spending time with loved ones. Engaging in positive activities can help shift focus and provide comfort.
Seek Professional Support: Our school counsellors are available to provide individual and group support to students requiring it. The team are trained and experienced in helping students process their emotions and develop coping strategies.
For further information on this, please contact Scott Cadby on 9582 5999 or sc@stbedes.catholic.edu.au
In coming weeks, we will continue to monitor the wellbeing of our student community and provide additional support as needed. We are committed to working together to ensure that everyone feels safe, supported and understood. Our resilience and solidarity is what makes our College Community so strong.
Should you have any questions, please get in touch with me.
Scott Cadby PACFA Reg. Clinical (21605)
Psychotherapist
BA (Psych) MPsychotherapyCouns