Wellbeing

With the arrival of spring and slight loosening of restrictions, hopefully this will provide us all with more opportunities to take time away from our screens and spend more time outside. Staying active and spending time outside is not only good for your physical health, but it also improves your wellbeing. Getting active outdoors can help to improve sleep, concentration, raise your energy levels, boost your mood and help to release stress and lower anxiety. During these school holidays, where possible, encourage your child to step out of the house and spend time outside.

Take care over the school holiday break,

The Wellbeing Team

Supporting your child’s self-esteem

(Adapted from https://au.reachout.com/)

Parents are often wondering how to improve teenage self-esteem. Improving self-esteem and confidence in your child usually starts with identifying why they might feel down about themselves in the first place. In some instances, their feelings can be directly related to their interpretation of an event such as failing an exam or a break up. By helping your child to understand that almost everyone has these kinds of experiences at some point, they can start to feel better.Some useful strategies that you can try:

Talk about the difficulties they are facing.
Encourage your child to focus on their strengths rather than their weaknesses. Spend time spotting your child’s strengths and acknowledging when they use them.
Remind your child that their worth is not based on their achievements or appearance.
Praise your child for accomplishments and also effort, but also when they might fail to reach the desired results.
Encourage them to be proud of themselves and to keep trying – explain that everyone makes mistakes and it’s ok to fail but to try again.
Discuss things you’ve done that might have been scary or tough for you to do, showing your child that you’ve also been through times when you’ve needed confidence.
Help them look and feel more confident by teaching them how to walk tall and smile. Even if they don’t feel confident, they will feel it and others will think they are confident.
Closely support your child with tasks they find difficult.

There are also some great resources available on the youth website, ReachOut.com, that you can help your child learn about building confidence for themselves.

Referrals

Students can continue to access Wellbeing support from our qualified practitioners. Referrals can be made through emailing the relevant Student Manager.

Wellbeing services, resources & support

Local Youth & Family Mental Health Services

Kingston Youth & Family Services - kingstonyouth.org.au

Southland Shopping Centre, Cheltenham: 1300 369 436

Information, programs, events, counselling and support for young people aged from 12 to 25 years and their families in the City of Kingston.

Family Life -www.familylife.com.au

Sandringham: 8599 5433 Cheltenham: 8599 5433 Frankston: 9770 0341

Mental Health project for young people 8-14 years of age and their families offering counselling, support, information and education.

headspace Southern - www.headspace.org.au

Bentleigh: 9076 9400 Frankston: 9769 6419

Early intervention service offering mental health, alcohol and other drugs and other specialist support to young people aged from 12 to 25 years.

Financial Support & Assistance

National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007

Open Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:30pm

moneysmart.gov.au =Free tools, tips, guidance and resource

National Helplines

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au

Free, confidential counselling service available any time of the day or night by phone or webchat.

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au

Call or chat online with a trained mental health professional any time of the day or night.

Headspace 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au

Online and telephone support service that helps young people who don’t feel ready to attend a headspace centre or who prefer to talk about their problems via online chat, email or on the phone.

Parentline: 132289

Lifeline 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Online Youth Support Forums & websites

Beyond Blue forums are a supportive place to connect with people who are going through similar experiences to you. You can read other people’s stories, ask for advice or share your own experience. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ 1300 22 4636

ReachOut Forums is a supportive, safe and anonymous space where people care about what's happening for you, because they've been there too. The website offers information and other resources designed specifically for young people. https://au.reachout.com/

Kids Helpline has information and services to support young people through any problems – big or small. https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Headspace has information and services to support a young person going through a tough time. https://headspace.org.au/

ESafety provides education and resources for Australians to encourage safer, more positive experiences online. https://www.esafety.gov.au/

Online Programs and Apps

Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is a free online parenting program, but it doesn't tell you how to be a parent. It's more like a toolbox of ideas. You choose the strategies you need. You choose the way you want to use them. It's all about making Triple P work for you. https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/vic-uken/triple-p/

Bite Back is a free, self-guided online wellbeing and resilience program for young people aged 13–16 years old. It uses a combination of fun, interactive activities, quizzes, animations and information across nine positive psychology domains including gratitude, optimism, flow, meaning, hope, mindfulness, character strengths, healthy lifestyle, and positive relationships.

Brave Program is an interactive, online program for the prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety. The programs are free, and provide ways for children and teenagers to better cope with their worries.

MoodGym is free, fun, interactive program helps you identify and overcome problem emotions and shows you how to develop good coping skills for the future.