Wellbeing and Engagement

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Headspace in Schools

Over the course of two days this week, WHS has welcomed Headspace Schools into work with every student from Year 7-12 as well as parents and guardians.

Students participated in sessions that we selected for them based on our knowledge of the issues facing students in each cohort and their specific mental health and wellbeing needs.

Below I have included the session information from each cohort and then some key insights which our amazing educator Natalie identified in her sessions with Woodmans Hill students.

Year 7 - Transitions: Primary to Secondary

Understand how transition and change can impact mental health

How to manage stress from change

Build resilience and healthy coping skills

Strengthen connection and belonging

Key Insights from Year 7 sessions:

How have I managed change in the past?

Pets, riding my dirt bike, eating food (discussed balance here/stress eating), playing sports, breaking things (in a safe way), doing something you enjoy, listening to music, talking to someone that cares about me, watching YouTube videos, talking to/ imagining my favourite character in a film or book and talking to them, sleep, activity, reading to feel calm, time alone, hobbies, watching favourite TV shows, changing my focus onto things I enjoy, spend time with friends, boxing, humming, pets, listening to music, playing an instrument, gaming, playing sports.

What could I do to support the changes that come with high school?

Being more organised e.g. preparing the books I need to for my lessons, finding my way around the school by checking my timetable regularly, being more sociable to meet new friends, spending more time on schoolwork, making sure I get to the lockers first, getting to know new teachers, getting up earlier, going to bed earlier, catching the bus on time, having less free time

Year 8 - Let’s Talk About It: Mental Health

Understand mental health and wellbeing

Explore the stress bucket analogy for managing stress

Discuss healthy coping strategies to support yourself

Identify options for seeking support online and in your community

Key Insights from Year 8 sessions:

What is mental health?

Attitudes, self-esteem, feelings e.g. anxiety, loneliness, happiness, excitement, jealousy, stress, illness, PTSD, coping skills and strengths e.g. exercise, thoughts, it’s important, wellbeing, physical health, social health – relationships, anxiety, depression, thoughts, coping mechanisms e.g. supportive friends, a place I go to

Why don’t we talk about mental health and get support?

Underestimate the importance of talking, not recognising/paying attention to it because you’re supporting someone else, labels we might get e.g. insane, crazy, over exaggerating, attention seeking, won’t be taken seriously, embarrassment, feel that we will be judged, no one to talk to about it, talking won’t help, don’t have the language/ words to talk about it, don’t want to be a burden to someone else, easier to hide at school if something is going on at home, don’t want to be seen as different/ want to fit in, it’s confronting to talk about it, don’t want to be seen as a coward/ weak, fear of being invalidated, might cause me to overthink about it more

What taps do I already use for my stress bucket?

Cry, spend time with my dog, play video games, music, playing my instrument, drumming, drawing, exercise, time alone, go to a place I like, supportive friends, sketching, sports

Year 9 &10 - Looking Out For Your Friends: Notice, Ask Connect

Notice: identifying warning signs that a friend might be going through a tough time

Ask: how to have difficult conversations and ask your friend if they are OK

Connect: how to help them find to the best support a make sure you are looking out for your self-care

Key Insights from Year 9&10 sessions:

What is mental health?

Depression, sadness, motivation, struggling, bad social life (being distant and withdrawn), emotional damage, good mental health – supports and things you enjoy, emotions and how they are expressed, attitude, relationships, physical health e.g. sleep, state of mind, wellbeing, supports, on a spectrum and fluctuates, trauma, connected to physical health, inner voices, levels of motivation, self-worth, thoughts, feelings, wellbeing, mental health conditions, stability, suicide, anxiety, depression, bipolar, self-doubt, low self-esteem, inner voice, on a spectrum and it changes, we all have it forever, overwhelmed, sad, feeling held back, positive and negative, anxious

Year 11 & 12 - Self-Care: Looking after your mental health

Understand mental health and the importance of looking after ourselves

Understand what self-care is

Develop a healthy headspace action plan

Identify where, when and how to seek support

Key Insights from Year 11&12 sessions:

What does self-care mean to you?

Staying your best physically and mentally, connections, promoting psychological health by satisfying wants and needs e.g. hygiene, social health, friends, having self-awareness around your emotions – what you feel and why you feel those things, looking after yourselves e.g. taking a shower, exercising, doing things that enable you to function every day, caring about your own needs, taking a break/time out from study when you need it, managing hard times, recognising when you need time out, staying physically and mentally healthy e.g. being active, getting enough sleep/rest, social health – healthy relationships, managing sadness

What do you already do/ could you do for self-care?

Working out, building for tradies, having a milo/hot drink, pets, get to know yourself and what you love/ what works for you, cleaning my room, sleep, music, creative art, making my bed, TV shows, family, cooking, hot wheels, being with a significant other, shopping, having green tea, making lists – mental organisation, having a warm bath, fishing – peaceful, time out to chill, drawing, skin care/make up routine, reading, gym, talking to my mum, family time, spending time with the guys,

Don’t forget that Headspace is a National organisation that aims to support young people between the ages of 12-25.

They can support young people with:

Mental Health
Physical and Sexual Health
Work, school and study
Alcohol and other drugs

Wood Technology Year 7