Maintaining Mental Health over the Holidays

Hi everyone, we’re into December already with holidays just around the corner. Some of our students have already finished for the year and may be contemplating getting work over the break or just having a well-earned rest. Headspace has some great tips on how to keep well over the holidays: https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-stay-healthy-over-the-holidays/

The things that helped during the year are the same ones that will help over the break – plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, physical activity, sleep, social interaction and taking time to do the things you enjoy. Routines help Sleep Maintaining a routine is important as structure helps our mental health. Having a routine also makes it easier to get the sleep you need. By having a set bedtime and waking up time, we are training our brains and bodies to fall asleep more easily and be better able to adjust to being back at school next year.

Avoiding electronic devices for an hour and a half before bed also helps our brain switch off and become more relaxed and readier for sleep. The light in electronic devices affects melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep/wake cycle. Melatonin is produced in response to darkness so light from electronic devices can fool the brain into thinking it is still day time, and melatonin is not produced. The content on electronic devices including TV can also stimulate the brain – making us fearful, anxious or excited, depending on what we’re exposed to. This means we are less likely to be in a relaxed state or may have disturbing dreams as our brains try to process the information and emotions.

Websites such as Headspace and ReachOut have great ideas for how to improve sleep and look after our mental health. There are also opportunities to chat with other young people and find ways to seek help.

Headspace Collingwood is open over the holidays, Monday to Friday 9-5 (except Public holidays). They can be contacted on 9417 0150 or you can visit at Level 1, Victoria Park (Social Club Building), Cnr Lulie & Abbott Streets, Abbotsford, Victoria 3067. There are also GPs available who specialise in health issues of young people.

Collingwood College Well-being team

COVID 19 SUPPORT

We will be feeling the effects of COVID-19 for a long time. Accepting and acknowledging this will help to reduce our stress levels. Whilst it’s great that lockdown has ended and we are able to travel longer distances, it’s important to realise that snap shutdowns and the possibility of having to stay home in quarantine will be an ongoing fact of life. Being prepared for this means that we will experience less stress than if it comes as a total surprise. Reminding ourselves of what worked in the past and the strategies that were used before enables us to realise that we already have the skills and abilities we need. This contributes to resilience and the ability to cope.

Humour is a great form of self-care. It distracts us from current concerns and engages our smile muscles which feeds back to our brains and leads to an increased sense of wellbeing. Humans have always used humour to deal with difficult topics. It provides a way to connect with others and acknowledge and recognise fears.

Below is a selection of Youtube music parody videos that may brighten your day…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmQbfWhW8mE Friends theme song in lockdown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm-gNZems4I Friends theme song, remote learning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVdV_BS6CzA The handler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI47Q_pfqsQ What if Disney songs were written in quarantine?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9EEHl71yY0 Quarantine ABBA parody

On a more serious note, there are many other sources of help and support. The following websites have lots of resources, from how to talk to children about COVID 19 to videos from the Melbourne Football club on mindfulness, resilience and more.

For parents:

For students:

headspace counselling services
Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for students
Feeling It: Mindfulness resources for VCE and VCAL students
Smiling Mind digital care packs
Wellbeing with Melbourne Football Club

OUR WELLBEING TEAM

Let us introduce you to our wonderful Well-being team here at Collingwood College…

Name	Position	Days	Contact
Judith Clelland	Secondary Principal	Monday to Friday	9417 6681
Gareth Rego	Social Worker	4 days per week	9412 7720
Badria Mustafa	Community Liaison Oromo	Monday, Wednesday and Friday	0499 340 740
Hussein Ibrahim	Community Liaison	Monday to Thursday 9:30-2:30, Wed all day	0459254588
Xusen	Xiriiriyaha bulshada	Isniin ilaa Khamis 9:30-2:30, Arbaco malinta oo dhan.	0459254588
Hassen Mohamed- Saeed	Community Liaison Tigrinya & Arabic	Monday – Friday 9-1pm	0459466102
Michele Waters	Mental Health Practitioner	Every Friday and Tuesdays in even weeks	9417 6681
Rebecca Hodder	Secondary School Nurse	Monday and Tuesday	9417 6681
Kathryn Feils	Counsellor	Monday and Tuesday	9417 6681

OUR COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICERS

HASSEN MOHAMED-SAEED

I am Hassen Mohamed-saeed, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you as the new (Collingwood College African and South Pacific Communities

Liaison officer),

I'm looking forward to meeting in person. Collingwood College teachers, Administrators and Wellbeing teams are here to help your kids with their schooling and educational issues.

If you have any enquiries about your kids well-being please contact me on 0459466102.

انا حسن محمد سعيد مساعد شؤون الموظفين الطلاب في مدرسة كلود.من أجل خدمتك بصورة دائمة و افضل الرجاء الاتصال على الرقم 0459466102

BADRIA MUSTAFA

My name is Badria Mustafa (Collingwood College African and South Pacific Communities Liaison officer). I started working in November last year, most of you have not met me in person and I am looking forward to meet you all. My role is to liaise between the school, families and students. I can be contacted on 0499 340 740 on Mondays and Wednesdays between 9am to 5pm or alternatively you can contact the college on 94176681.

Oromo version

Maqaan kiyya Badria Mustafa jedhama, mana barumsa Collingwood College keessatti hawaasa Africa fi South Pacifickiif gargaarsa maati, barattootaaf fi barsiiftota eddutti gargaarudha, keessattu maati Afaan Oromo dubbatuuf gargaarsa adda addaa irratti isin gargaaruuf qohpiidha. Yoo gaaffii qabaattan lakkoofsa kanaan na qunnamuu dandeettan 0499 340 740. Guyyaan an dalagu Monday (Wiixata) fi Wednesday (Harbaa) sa’aa 9-5pm. Yokaan mana barumsa Kanaan qunnamu dandeettan 94176681. Fuuldura isiniin walbaruuf gammachuu qaba.

HUSSEIN IBRAHIM

My name is Hussein Ibrahim (Collingwood College African and South Pacific Communities Liaison officer). Most of you have already seen me last year (during Covid19 lockdown) and those who have not yet seen me, I have started working for the school in June last year and my role is to facilitate relationships between students, families, teachers, admin, Principal and the local community. My role also encompasses supporting students to maintain their education and keep engaged with the school in order for students to transition to a successful life/career. To achieve these objectives, we also support and work closely with the parents to address any challenges which maybe assist in achieving these goals.

Background

I’m a qualified Community Development practitioner with (Bachelor of Arts Community Development from Victoria University) and I have been working in the Community Services Sector for the last 15years, including “mental health section”, settlement” as well as tenant management for DHHS. I’m also accredited interpreter for Somali language.

If require my assistance, I can be reached on 0459254588 or alternatively the collage number: 94176681. I’m looking forward meeting you in the near future for introduction.

Somali Version

Salaamu Aleykum

isbarsho

Magaceyga waa Hussein Ibrahim ( waxaan ahay isku xiraha iskuulka Collingwood College iyo jaliyadaha Africanka iyo South Pacifica. Intiina badan waxaan is aragnay snadkii hore (xiligii lagu jiaray xanibadii Covit19). Intiina hore ii arag, waxaan bilabay in aan u shaqeyo ‘iskuulka’ bishii June sandkii hore.

Shaqadeyda waxey tahay isku xirka wadashaqeynta u dhaxeyso ardada, qoosaska, macalimiinta, principalda schoolka iyo jaliyadaha iskuulka nawaxiisa degan. Waxaa kaloo shaqadeyda tahay in aan ku dadalo in ardada iskuulka dhigata in ay waxbarashadooda dhameystaan ee waxbarshada nus kagtagin si ay mutaqbal fiican iyo shaqo wanagasan u helaan mustaqbalka dhow.

Sida hadafkaan u gaarno, waxaan si dhow ula shaqeyaa walidiinta si aan ugu caawiyo wixii caqabad ku noqonkaro sida loo gaari lahaa hadafkan.

Tariikhdeyda

Waxaan ka qalanjibiyey Jamacada Victoria University waxaana bartay sida jaaliyada loo caawiyo. Waxaana kashaqeynayey cawimada jalidaha 15sanoo lasoodhaafay. Waxaan kashaqey qebta dadyowga dhimirka ka xanuunsan iyo dejenta qaxootiga wadanka Australia.Waxaan kaloo ahay ‘turjuman dowlada u diinwangelisan oo fasira luuqada soomaliaga.

Haddad u bahato kaalmadeyda igala soo xiriir tel: 0459254588 ama kan iskuulka: 94176681. Waxaan aad uxiiseynayaa in aan kulano mustaqbalka dhow si aan isu barano.

SAVER PLUS - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SCHOOL COSTS

Saver Plus is an option to assist with school costs. Saver Plus has supported several Collingwood College families in the past 2 years

QUICK GUIDE TO STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Parents please click on the attachment below for Resources available for students and parents to access:

Pride Club

Pride Club! Tuesday lunchtime Room 301. For all students who support equality at Collingwood College!

SEXTING

Not sure what this is? Here is some information from the governments e-safety site https://www.esafety.gov.au/esafety-information/esafety-issues/sexting

FREE ASTHMA EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN & THEIR FAMILIES AT COHEALTH

The Community Asthma Program provides free asthma education and support for children (under 18) with asthma and their families. In Melbourne’s inner North and Western suburbs

An asthma educator works with children and their families to:

understand asthma, its signs and severity
identify triggers and learn how to control them
understand their medications and administer them correctly
develop a written asthma action plan
learn asthma first aid

The program is tailored to the individual child and family The Community Asthma educators are able to see children and parents/ carers at one of the many Cohealth sites or at home. The CAP educators are also able to visit schools, kindergartens and child care centres to educate staff to support the child.

To refer, fill out the attached referral or please contacts:

9448 6825 or CAP@cohealth.org.au

CYBERPARENT - INTERNET SAFETY

Australian Multicultural Foundation (AMF) product called CyberParent which is an interactive learning tool that aims to teach parents and families about how to use the internet safely. The app was launched in 17 different languages and AMF has received overwhelmingly positive responses from the community. Since then, AMF has developed a downloadable version of CyberParent, which has just been released on the Apple App Store.

CyberParent is available in 17 different languages, which can be found in different language packs on the App Store. This includes:

Central Asia:

- Dari | دری

- Farsi | فارسی

- Pashto | افغانی

- Urdu | اُردُو

CyberParent is available to download from the App Store today! Click below to download now:

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/cyberparent/id1315897505?mt=8

HEALTH AND WELLBEING LINKS

As Australia’s largest national education-oriented charity, we support disadvantaged Australian children to participate fully in their education, giving them the best chance at breaking the cycle of disadvantage. Our learning support and mentoring programs help children in need to fit in at school, keep up with their peers, and build aspirations for a better future for them. The smith Family can provide financial support for families and children in need to assist them through school and education.

To get in touch with the Smith Family go to: https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/contact-us

Or call them on; 1300 326 459

Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds, along with assistance in promoting young peoples’ wellbeing. This covers four core areas: mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services.

Information and services for young people, their families and friends as well as health professionals can be accessed through this website; www.headspace.org.au , headspace centres, online counselling service eheadspace, and postvention suicide support program headspace School Support.

Ph: 1800 650 890.

Since 1877, Berry Street has chosen to work with children, young people and families, with the most challenging and complex needs, including those for whom we are often the last resort. Last year, we helped over 18,000 of the most disadvantaged children, young people and families across our community.

We believe all children should have a good childhood, growing up feeling safe, nurtured and with hope for the future.

Services include; Family services (ChildFirst), Education and training, Family violence, Foster and Kinship care, residential care and youth services.

To contact Berry Street go to their website http://www.berrystreet.org.au/ or call them on; 9429 9266

3 million Australians are living with depression or anxiety

Beyondblue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

Beyondblue has a 24hour helpline 1300 22 4636 and their website is https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

The Centre for Multicultural Youth is a Victorian not-for-profit organisation supporting young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to build better lives in Australia.

Their purpose is to ensure that young people have every opportunity to succeed in Australia. Through a combination of specialist support services, training and consultancy, knowledge sharing and advocacy, we are working to remove the barriers young people face as they make Australia their home

Community News

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