Headspace Schools attended Maffra Secondary College last week (March 22nd, 23rd, & 24th) to provide mental health workshops to students in year 7, 8, and 9. These workshops promoted mental health awareness and literacy, discussed strategies to support our mental health and overall wellbeing and, provided resources for local and national support services young people can access. These workshops were delayed a number of times due to Covid and subsequent lockdowns in 2021. We were delighted students in the Junior Year levels did not miss out on this opportunity all together and hope the students found the workshops informative and helpful.

Maffra Secondary College Wellbeing Team

Student wellbeing is a professional support service provided to the whole school community. This consists of but not limited to: one-on-one counselling, working with families, teaching staff, support staff and outside agencies to provide the best possible outcomes for students and staff.

How to access Wellbeing: Students can access Wellbeing by making an appointment with a member of the Wellbeing team via compass or in person during recess and/or lunchtime. Staff can refer students who they have concerns for, parents can call and request an appointment for their young person.

Common problems Wellbeing can support students with:

Anxiety – social, general
Low mood/depression
Stress – related to school, work, family, other
Bullying issues – prevention & intervention
Health related problems – sexual health, nutrition advice
Friendship problems
Difficulties with social skills and interpersonal effectiveness
Behavioural Issues

Other Supports Wellbeing can provide students:

Support and encouragement to engage with extra-curricular activities within the school community
Support with their involvement in social issues, health promotion and awareness initiatives (e.g., R U OK Day)

Emily Boyle:

Wellbeing Leader

My role is to lead the Wellbeing team and be a lead contact for external support services such as our Doctors, Headspace, Royal Flying Doctors and Youth In-search. I lead School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) and Respectful Relationships alongside the Assistant Principal Cheryl Evans to embed and strengthen the SWPBS framework and the Respectful Relationships initiative across the College. I provide individual counselling to students and facilitate initiatives and programs aimed at improving student wellbeing and attitudes towards school. I have been a member of the wellbeing team since 2010 with a short secondment to DET in the Respectful Relationships Liaison Officer role. I am a registered teacher and enjoy working with staff to promote health and wellbeing within the classroom.

Available Monday and Wednesday

Megan Kenny:

Mental Health Practitioner

My role is to provide individual counselling to students experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues (i.e., anxiety, depression, stress) using evidenced based psychotherapy frameworks (e.g., cognitive behaviour therapy). I also develop and run group therapy programs that promote mental health and adaptive coping strategies for students and help facilitate preventative approaches within the school to improve the overall wellbeing of the school community. I have been a member of the Wellbeing team since mid 2020. I am a registered psychologist and also work part-time in a private practice psychology clinic in Sale. I enjoy facilitating group therapy sessions, I have a particular interest in personality and eating disorders, and working with young people.

I have started a group program run on Mondays called “Strong Minds Group” with Year 7, 8, & 9 students. The group will be one session a week for the remainder of the Term. The group is now full with 12 students participating, however I plan on running a group each term alternating between senior Years (Year 10, 11 & 12) and juniors years (Year 7, 8, & 9).

Attached is a flyer with more information.

We also have Headspace in schools attending in Week 8 to deliver Mental Health Literacy sessions across all Year levels (see flyer attached). This will also include a parent/guardian session one night after school in Week 8. This was meant to happen last year but had to be postponed due to COVID lockdowns.

Available Monday, Tuesday (AM ONLY) and Wednesday.

Karen Tenkate

Student Counsellor

My role is to provide individual counselling to students and provide complex interventions for students and their wellbeing concerns. I develop and implement proactive programs to promote positive wellbeing and to enhance our students’ sense of belonging and connectedness to Maffra Secondary College.

For most of my working life I have had the privilege of championing the next generation from the sideline in a range of different settings, from working with our communities most vulnerable young people through to working with our countries emerging young athletes. It is my belief that every young person be afforded the opportunity to be the best version of themselves, to know their strengths, and strive for their highest potential.”

Available Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Gerard Abdoo:

Chaplain

Chaplains support the emotional wellbeing of students by providing pastoral care services and strategies that support the emotional wellbeing of the broader school community. They work closely with wellbeing and allied health staff in schools to support students and their educational outcomes, staff, families and the wider school community.

Gerard facilitates small groups and works with students individually to increase their connection to school and build students self and social awareness.

Available Monday and Tuesday

Rochelle Salerman:

Student Counsellor

I am a qualified counsellor and social worker and have been a part of the Maffra Secondary community for over 6 years. My role as a student counsellor is primarily to provide one-on-one counselling to students and to partner with them to improve their educational experience and overall wellbeing. I see students for a range of different concerns and issues such as: mental health, family issues, peer group difficulties, support in the classroom, resilience/assertiveness training, emotional and social support and more. As I work with students to move towards their goals, I will often engage with families to ensure we are all on the same page, which provides better outcomes for the young person as we all work together. I also run small groups as needed throughout the year, these groups often target a particular need that has been identified within the school. I am privileged to be able to do the work that I do with students and love being about to support them to improve both their educational and overall wellbeing goals.

Available Tuesday and Thursday

Samantha Spencer:

Secondary School Nurse

My role is to promote all things health! I aim to expand and encourage healthy eating and feel-good foods to promote physical health. My role is to maintain, improve and create safe and sustainable spaces for students to socially connect with each other. My role is to engage third parties to expand on health awareness and activities, such as the school dental van, SunSmart initiatives, sexual health – this includes access to menstrual products. Whilst I don’t counsel students individually, my role encourages a whole school approach to promote health and wellbeing.

Available Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (AM)

External Support Services at MSC

Youth Insearch is accessible to youth aged between 14 – 20 and is young people helping young people to turn their disadvantages into advantages. Youth who are referred have the opportunity to engage in Youth Insearch programs including: foundations workshop, weekly support groups, virtual support groups, weekend workshops, case management, individualized care and a leadership program.

Joseph McKeddie:

Royal Flying Doctors Service

Joseph is a registered psychologist who has experience in the assessment and treatment of mild to moderate mental illness across the lifespan. He specialises in the management of depressive and anxiety disorders, using a person-centred approach with his clients. Joseph has also trained in family therapy and enjoys working with adolescents and the family system. Joseph joined RFDS in 2019 as Senior Clinician, providing clinical and operational support to the Flying Doctor Wellbeing Team. Joseph is passionate about reducing the stigma of mental illness, particularly in rural and remote communities and ensuring that all persons not only have access to mental health support, but are proud to acknowledge their individual journey to improved mental health and wellbeing.

Joseph is available for Telehealth appointments only.

Free counselling is available for students and parents during COVID-19

Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria (RFDS) continues to deliver mental health and wellbeing services to students of Maffra Secondary College as well as their parents. Free and confidential appointments are available over the phone and via video.

RFDS has delivered mental health and wellbeing services in Maffra since March 2019.

“Students and parents have experienced a lot of extra pressures during COVID-19 and RFDS are here to support those feeling stressed, worried or overwhelmed.” says Health Service Manager, Lauren Zappa.

“We have adapted our services in response to this new challenge and are continuing to provide counselling via telephone and video so that appointments can occur from home” Ms Zappa said.

RFDS is encouraging both parents and students to reach out and make an appointment if you are experiencing:

· Low mood, anxiety or depression

· Worry or stress

· Relationship/family difficulties

· Anger

· Grief and loss

· Lack of self-confidence and esteem

· Concerns for a family member of a friend

· Or any other mental health and wellbeing concern

If you are experiencing these feelings or other symptoms, there is support available. In Maffra, our locally based clinicians, Renae Wallis and Alice Irving are available to support you via telephone or video. Face to face appointments with both Renae and Alice will resume after COVID-19.

No GP referral is required to access this service.

To find out more or to make an appointment, contact the Flying Doctor Wellbeing team directly on (03) 8412 0480 or at wellbeing@rfdsvic.com.au .

Renae Wallis: Headspace Enhancing Mental Health in Schools.

This service provides an opportunity for students to talk about their concerns with a headspace clinician, in a safe and confidential setting. The counselling support is designed to increase the availability of mental health support for students, improve mental health outcomes for students and assist students in finding the right support as appropriate.

Renae is at Maffra Secondary College on a Friday

Dr Stuart Anderson and Dr Margret Young: Doctors in Secondary School Program

Dr Stuart Anderson and Dr Margret Young: Doctors in Secondary School Program

Our GPs provide students with the same services as those of any GP in the community, including management of physical health, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health issues. There are no out-of-pocket expenses for the students or families to see the GP. We have a purpose-built clinic onsite for students to access.

Dr appointments are available on a Monday

Relevant External Resources available in the community

Science news

Kristen Raine