Health & Wellbeing News

My name is Lisa and I am the Mental Health Practitioner at Jackson School. 

I have been a social worker for 6 years and started at Jackson School in July 2023. 

I provide short-term one-on-one and group-based mental health counselling to secondary students under the departments Mental Health Practitioners in Secondary and Specialist Schools initiative. I also work with a limited number of primary students using play-based counselling methods. As part of the Mental Health Team, I provide education and advice to teachers and other staff about mental health and wellbeing. 

People with Intellectual Disabilities are 4.5 times more likely to experience mental health problems than those without Intellectual Disabilities. People with Autism and/or ADHD often have co-occurring mental health difficulties such as generalised anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and depressive symptoms; as well as social anxiety, substance use and eating disorders. It is important to remember that every young person can experience mental health difficulties and every young person deserves accessible mental health support. 

I work with students to help them develop emotional insight, coping skills, social skills, self-confidence, and much more. 

Signs your child may be struggling with their mental health:

• Changes in mood e.g. increased anger, frustration
• Changes in sleep e.g. struggling to fall asleep, sleeping more than usual
• Increased sadness
• Increased nervousness, worry or stress
• Not wanting to go to school
• Low self-esteem/self-confidence 
• Increased or decreased appetite
• Withdrawing socially from friends, teachers/staff, and/or family members
• Lack of interest in things they usually enjoy

Students can be referred to me for counselling via their teacher and/or Leading Teacher. Please note that MHP counselling is not an alternative for external, long-term NDIS or psychological supports and if students require longer term or acute mental health support, they will be referred to external services.

If your child requires mental health support outside of school you can contact:

• Their GP for a mental health care plan
• Brimbank Youth Services B-Heard counselling program (12yo+) 
  B-Heard Youth Support Program — Brimbank Youth Services
• Headspace Susnhine (12yo+) 
  headspace Sunshine | Youth Mental Health Centre & Services
• Orygen Youth Mental Health (acute/high risk) (15yo+)
  Orygen Specialist Program (oyh.org.au)
• Royal Children’s Hospital (0-15yo)
  1800 44 55 11

If your child is at immediate risk of self-harm or suicide, call 000.

Hello! My name is Janine, and I am a graduate Allied Health Assistant. I have been working at Jackson School as an Education Support Worker for the past 12 years. Throughout this time, I have had the privilege of watching our students grow and learn new skills along the way – which is why I love what I do. I will be working full time this year with the Allied Health Professional Team, assisting students develop their gross motor skills. In my free time, I enjoy spending time in the garden, watching the footy (go pies!) and spending time with family and friends.