Student Services : Wellbeing

Youth Mental Health First Aid

A big thank you to all the students, staff and families who have joined us in a range of activities recently. We are so proud of the commitment you have shown to supporting our community and reducing the stigma experienced by young people living with mental health problems. This week, we had the pleasure of running Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training for parents and staff and beginning the Tuning into Teens parenting program – thank you to all involved. YMHA teaches adults the skills to have open, supportive conversations about mental health and reduces the stigma associated with mental health problems – and we even managed to have some fun along the way. Thank you for all those who contributed to these amazing sessions.

IDAHOBIT Celebrations

Last Friday 17 May we celebrated IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ discrimination. Sticking with this year’s theme of ‘Go Rainbow Against Discrimination’, staff and students incorporated a splash of rainbow into their outfits. We enjoyed many activities on the day and were pleased to see some students still busy making badges, and showing their support, long after the end of day bell rang.

Loves Bites – Respectful Relationship education for Year 7

Love Bites is a Respectful Relationships education program that focuses on the development of respectful relationships for 11- to 14-year-olds. This term, Year 7s will complete the #Friends program which covers themes such as relationships and social media, communicating mindfully, warning signs of abusive behaviour, power in relationships, responding to concerns as bystanders, and managing jealousy. Year 7 students and families will receive further information about this program over the coming weeks.

Community Resources

Parent Workshop: Helping young people talk safely online about self-harm and suicide

Details: #chatsafe is a world-leading suicide prevention programme and set of guidelines that helps young people have safe online conversations about self-harm and suicide. We know that lots of parents are worried about the content that young people see and the conversations they have online. In this webinar for parents and carers of young people aged 12-25, you'll have the chance to learn how to support your child to have safe conversations from Research Fellow Dr Louise La Sala, as she walks you through #chatsafe's guidance for parents and carers.

Who: Parents and carers of young people aged 12-25

Cost: Free register attendance here

When: Thursday 30th May

Headspace Collingwood M4MH – Mosh for Mental Health

Details: The headspace Youth Advisory Committee is running a FREE youth event for young people 16+ and are looking for a student band to open the event! If your band (or yourself) is looking for exposure please complete an expression of interest to perform for 30-45 minutes for headspace Collingwood's 'Mosh4MentalHealth' event.

When: Saturday 22nd of June from 1-6pm.

Where: 251 High St Northcote (3070) in the hall- your band would play first at probably 1.30 - 2pm.

Who: This event is for young people aged 16 - 25 so we need everyone in the band to be 16+ HOWEVER we can have a discussion if this is a barrier for you - you can reach out at lruchel@ysas.org.au or on 0420 461 594

Weekly programs at The Hub, Northland

Details: We have programs and services which support young people get involved, develop employment and leadership skills, and to meet like-minded young people. Check out the range or programs on offer each week. This also includes specialised support who can help you with looking for work, free legal advice, access to health services and more. All supports are free. Email or message the team to make an appointment, or just drop in.

Location: 2–50 Murray Rd, Preston. The Hub is next to UniQlo, but the entry is outside. Get directions

Contact: 03 8470 8001 (Tuesday to Friday during business hours), YouthServices@darebin.vic.gov.au

Local psychological support

We are often contacted by clinicians who have availability to see new clients and will share this information on this page. Please be advised that Northcote High School does not have any affiliation or relationship with these practitioners and sharing information here is not an endorsement of their practitioners or services. We recommend you speak with your GP to discuss mental health treatment and care. You can also contact the Student Wellbeing team on 9488 2321 if you require further support in accessing treatment in the community.

Carla Giardina Psychologist. Carla offers psychological support to adolescents, adults, and families experiencing a range of difficulties to improve mental health and wellbeing. https://www.carlagiardina.com.au/