Wellbeing Matters

Conclusion of the year 7 Healthy Minds Program 

The Healthy Minds Program has successfully concluded, wrapping up a journey focused on building practical tools and fostering deeper understanding of wellbeing. Throughout the program, we aimed to empower both students and parents with strategies to navigate life’s challenges and maintain a positive, balanced mindset. We hope this experience has sparked valuable conversations, encouraged reflection, and provided meaningful insights to support mental health and resilience, both now and in the future. 

In the final session (Module 8), students focused on bringing it all together. They explored the "big picture" of their personal values; both now and in the future and how the skills they’ve developed throughout the program can continue to support their mental health. Together, we revisited and reflected on the following key concepts:

The Wellbeing Wheel: A tool for understanding and balancing different aspects of wellbeing.

Challenging perfectionism: Recognising the importance of growth over unattainable standards.

How thoughts cause feelings: Exploring the connection between our thoughts and emotions.

Being a critical consumer of the media: Developing awareness of the media's impact on wellbeing.

Understanding emotions: Identifying and managing emotional responses.

Managing stress: Strategies to navigate and reduce stress effectively.

Healthy thinking: Building positive and flexible thought patterns.

Gratitude: Practicing appreciation to enhance overall wellbeing.

Self-compassion: Treating ourselves with kindness and care, especially during challenges.

We encourage parents to continue these conversations at home. To support this:

• A copy of all the Parent Modules and the helpful thinking process tools are attached.
• Students have taken their workbooks home for further reflection.
• A printable version of The Wellbeing Wheel is attached. We recommend displaying it somewhere visible to serve as a daily reminder to prioritise mental health.

We appreciate parents involvement in this program and the role you play in fostering a culture of wellbeing. If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback, we would love to hear from you.

Fosia Mohamud

Mental Health Practitioner

On behalf of the Wellbeing Team

The Team

Celine Tsang-Student Wellbeing Leader/Counsellor 

Celine.Tsang@education.vic.gov.au 

Fosia Mohamud-Mental Health Practitioner 

Fosia.Mohamud@education.vic.gov.au  

Madeline Mitchell- Art Therapist/Counsellor 

Madeleine.Mitchell2@education.vic.gov.au   

  Annette Paterson- PSD Coordinator (Program for Students with Disabilities) 

Annette.Paterson@education.vic.gov.au  

Wellbeing Student Placement Program

We currently have five counselling students onsite providing support to our students until the end of the year. They are in the process of completing their Masters of Counselling at either Monash or Victoria University. 

Having these counselling students provides a valuable resource for our student body, offering increased access to mental health support at school.

Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive space where students wellbeing and mental health are our top priorities. We encourage both parents and students to reach out early if there are any concerns so that we can offer timely interventions. Please be assured that counselling sessions are strictly confidential unless safety risks are identified. Parents can contact our Learning and Wellbeing Leaders to discuss concerns and initiate referrals. 

For students, your first point of contact is your teachers and the relevant Learning and Wellbeing Leaders. Students can also self-refer for wellbeing support using our student referral form  Click Here. The referral forms are also accessible through the wellbeing office, which is open to all students. A member of the wellbeing staff will get in touch with you as soon as possible to schedule a session.  

External supports you can access:

Headspace: 24/7 phone counselling service for 12 to 25-year old’s. 

P: 1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au  

E-Headspace: 24/7 online counselling service for 12 to 25-year old’s. 

www.eheadspace.org.au  

Beyondblue: 24-hour Phone and online counselling for mental health. 

P: 1300 22 46 36 www.beyondblue.org.au 

Beyondblue also have a series of podcasts on various topics.   

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/not-alone 

Lifeline: 24-hour phone crisis support and suicide prevention services. 

P: 131 114 www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/online-services/crisis-chat 

Kids Help Line: 24/7 free phone and online counselling for 13 to 25-year old’s. 

P: 1800 55 1800 www.kidshelpline.com.au