Respectful Relationships & Wellbeing News

Smiling Minds in the classroom to support out Respectful Relationships 

Mindfulness in our classrooms at Sacred Heart is an important part of creating a rounded person who can take control of their own wellbeing . We are using Smiling Mind, a leading mindfulness and meditation platform, to provide our students with valuable tools to enhance their well-being and emotional growth. Through guided mindfulness practices, our students are learning to cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness, manage stress, and develop important life skills. With Smiling Mind's engaging and age-appropriate resources, it's a fantastic tool our teachers can use throughout the week which is allowing our students to thrive academically and emotionally. We are committed to nurturing the holistic development of the  students at Sacred Heart with our overriding wellbeing programs Respectful Relationships and Berry Street, so the incorporation of Smiling Mind aligns perfectly with our values and goals. I have attached some research attached to the program here.

The Need for Change

Mental illness is an enduring crisis in Australia. Mental ill-health is on the rise and Australia’s mental health system is under immense pressure. 44% of the Australian population are estimated to have experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life.

Children are a particularly vulnerable group, often overlooked in our mental health policies, initiatives and systems. In the last 15 years, the amount of young people (aged 16-24) experiencing mental ill-health has grown by 50% and our young people are experiencing the highest levels of psychological distress we’ve ever seen.

Children are facing significant mental health challenges, and emerging trends suggest things are getting worse after the pandemic. 70% of presentations to paediatricians are related to mental health needs, even though only half the children who need support are getting it. Wait lists for children’s mental health clinical services are also at an all-time high.

Most programs supporting youth mental health target people aged 12 and older. Our younger children are falling through the cracks at a formative stage in their development.

We know that 50% of all mental illness has its onset before the age of 14. The early years in a person’s life are crucial for building resilience and developing a toolkit of skills to navigate the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. Prevention and intervention initiatives must start much earlier in life. Up to 50% of adult mental illness can be prevented through early intervention during childhood and adolescence.

Currently most of the government funding for mental health is directed towards clinical and crisis services. Without a focus on mental health promotion and prevention we will continue to witness this crisis unfold. But generational change is possible, if we tackle mental ill-health at the prevention stage.

Supporting mentally fit kids with mindfulness

Imagine if every young person was taught the skills they need to be resilient, emotionally aware and mentally healthy in their childhood. What kind of world would it be if children had the skills to identify and discuss their feelings and then took these skills into adulthood? 

As parents and carers, we often spend time ensuring our kids are eating healthy foods, staying active and engaging in a range of activities to support their health and development. However, we don’t always take the same proactive approach to mental health. Many of us see mental and physical health as two separate components of our overall well being, however they are much more interconnected than one may initially perceive.

Since the pandemic the mental health of our kids has been top of mind for many parents. After almost two years of uncertainty and change, kids and parents alike have been challenged in ways we never expected. In fact 41% of parents reported that the pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of their kids, according to Smiling Mind’s 2021 State of Mind report. 

One way to support your children to build their mental fitness and resilience is to practise mindfulness and meditation. These practices have been proven to have a wide range of benefits to mental health for people of all ages. Some benefits of regularly practising mindfulness include increased resilience and ability to manage emotions.

Mindfulness helps us to develop the ability to observe our emotions with more openness and curiosity, and less judgement. 

Simon Brown

Head of Wellbeing