Wellbeing
with Lisa Osborne
Blackburn Primary School
Mental Health Month!
During the month of October the Australian Government focuses on Mental Health with World Mental Health Day being remembered on October the 10th. The Australian theme is 'Together We Thrive' and the global theme is, 'Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change'. The core focus of mental health day is, 'Building Communication connection, and everyday moments of care and conversation, and reducing the stigma around mental ill health amid rising costs and uncertainty'.
Those who regularly read the Wellbeing page in the news letter, know that I am passionate about supporting people's overall wellbeing. I believe that the BPS staff team value and encourage students to engage in many and varied things to build resilience and strengthen mental wellbeing.
Reflecting on the core focus statement, one of the things that stands out to me is 'everyday moments of care and conversation.' Often in my role as Chaplain at school I find myself in conversations with staff, students and family members that weren't prearranged or booked in to my diary. These spontaneous moments often turn out to be meaningful as thoughts and feelings are mutually shared. Everyday conversations can be a fantastic opportunity to show care, help someone feel heard and encouraged. Problems don't need to be fixed, we don't have to have all the answers, but just simply engaging, being present, listening, can make someone feel supported and special.
During the rest of this month, lets all try and pay attention to those opportunities to show care this way. Maybe it's at home, stopping what you're doing and listening to your partner or your child talk about their day. Noticing that person who seems quiet at work or wherever you are that day and checking in. There are so many ways to engage in care for someone else and by doing so I'm confident you will be encouraged also.
Please feel free to reach out if you or your child needs support. My email is Lisa.Osborne@education.vic.gov.au or my mobile is 0409559059.
I work on Monday's and Thursday's.