Wellbeing News
"Be The Best That You Can Be" - Promoting Independant Learning and Growth
June, 2022
Meet the Team
My name is Eva Myszka and I am the current well-being co-ordinator at Wheelers Hill Secondary College. I joined the WHSC team in early term 1 to fill in for Helen Charalambous whilst she is on family leave. I am social work qualified and have worked in various family services prior to starting with WHSC - including with Child FIRST and supporting foster & kinship carers. My role is busy and varied and definitely keeps me on my toes. Working with students in an educational setting feels like a great match for me personally and professionally, so I’m looking forward to continuing to work within the WHSC team and enjoying our successes and learnings from challenges along the way.
My name is Fosia Mohamud. I Joined the WHSC team towards the end of term three in 2021 as the Mental Health Practitioner (MHP). I am a qualified Social Worker and have worked in various settings over the last 10 years, including the Health and Public Service Sectors. I’m now excited to be working at WHSC in a role that focuses on mental health in the school setting, where early intervention can be facilitated.
It has been a pleasure getting to know the WHSC community and working alongside the wellbeing team and whole school in the promotion of mental health awareness.
On behalf of the wellbeing team we wish you a blessed and restful term break. Remember to intentionally slow down and take joy in the little things. Hit that snooze button as many times as you want, dance in the rain (at the risk of catching a cold…..You only live once! So why not? 😊). Most importantly, stay connected with your loved ones.
Reconciliation: Week Activities at WHSC
Friday, the 27th of May marked the beginning of Reconciliation Week.
Reconciliation week has a different theme each year, this year it is, Be Brave. Make Change.
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The dates for NRW are the same each year, 27 May to 3 June.
This year students at WHSC participated in drawing and colouring in Indigenous artwork in celebration of Reconciliation Week. Families and community members are encouraged and welcomed to get in touch with the school wellbeing team to contribute to future Reconciliation/ NAIDOC activities/events.
SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of indigenous communities. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of range of traditional and contemporary activities. NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities. NAIDOC week is an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of NAIDOC Week. This Special Report offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week together. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help. Here is the link to your special report https://whsc.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-naidoc-week
of art to the Indigenous community.
Resources for Students and Families
If you would like to know more about mental health support available for students, please refer to the following DET webpage Mental Health in Schools
If you have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child during school hours, please contact the school for further information on how to access support for your child.
Should you or a loved one require support over the holidays, see below for list of local and national support services.
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
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
Q-Life/Switchboard: Free Online and Phone Counselling, information and advice LGBTIQ peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender.
P: 1800 184 527
www.qlife.org.au/resources/chat
VicHealth: Health promotion enabling people to increase control and over and improve health. Physical and Wellbeing activities: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au
5 Ways to Wellbeing: Introducing 5 ways to improve your psychological and emotional health: https://5waystowellbeing.org.au/
1800 RESPECT: 24/7 free online and telephone counselling for Family Violence Affected Family Members.
P: 1800 737 732
www.1800respect.org.au
Men’s Line: 24/7 Support, referrals and counselling for men over the phone and online.
P: 1300 78 99 78
www.mensline.org.au
Suicide Call back Line: 24/7 Phone counselling, online counselling and Video Chat.
P: 1300 659 467
www.suicidecallback.org.au
Parent Line: State wide telephone counselling and support service for all Victorian parents and carers of children from 0-18 years. Experienced social workers, psychologists and family therapists can give families counselling and information around a wide range of parenting issues.
P: 13 22 89
Black Dog Institute provides a free online resilience course – MindStrength - for 14 to 16 years, as well as their parents / carers.
This site also provides information posters – one for students and the other for parents: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/education-services/schools/school-resources/mindstrength/
Blokes Psychology has offices based in Scoresby. They are a unique service as their primary target client group are males from the age of 5 onwards – they also work with people who want to learn how to support and communicate with the males in their life:
https://blokespsychology.com.au