Mental Health and Wellbeing Support

Hi students and families,

I’m Samantha, also known as Sam. I’m the Mental Health Practitioner at Yarrabah. I’ve been asked to give a little introduction about myself and some facts you may not know so here goes....

I’m a qualified Social Worker, I completed a double degree in the Bachelor of Arts/Social Work majoring in Sociology and Politics at Deakin University. I have worked as a Social Worker in Australia and the UK. I have worked as a Social Worker in different areas including Child Protection, Family Support/Social Services, Centrelink, Hospitals, and Student Support Services in the Department of Education and Training. During this time I had three fabulous children, who have kept me busy too.

A few years ago I undertook the Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma, I’m always interested in learning more about Developmental Trauma and have read a number of books by Gabor Mate, Bessel Van Der Kolk and Dan Siegel. At the moment I’m reading ‘The Heart of Trauma’ by Bonnie Badenoch. I’m also big fan of Brene Brown. I do like to keep some balance and read something that makes me laugh, recently I read a book by Kitty Flanagan, she’s hilarious.

I was excited when the Mental Health Initiative was rolled out to Victorian schools. Research indicates mental health concerns are present during school years. The World Health Organisation strongly advocates for improving health through schools, as schools can have the greatest impact on health and wellbeing during critical periods of emotional and social development. The literature suggests that students with a disability can experience higher rates of mental ill-health than their peers.

My role as a Mental Health Practitioner at Yarrabah is to work with Secondary Students and coordinate mental health and wellbeing activity across the school.

Some of my duties include:

•  providing direct counselling support and early intervention services for individual secondary students identified as at risk and/or experiencing 
• demonstrating mild to moderate mental health concerns. 
• to coordinate supports for students with critical and complex needs both within and external to the school

Other duties also include enhancing mental health promotion and prevention activities in

the school by contributing to whole school health and wellbeing plans. To also build staff

capability to manage student health and wellbeing and help to embed mental health

promotion and prevention strategies in the school.

In addition to my role as Mental Health Practitioner, this year I will also be working on 

Thursday to provide further mental health and wellbeing support to students, 

families/carers in Primary.

I grew up in the local area, so I’m super excited I have the chance to work at Yarrabah 

School, in the community that I love and know so well.

I barrack for the Mighty Magpies and follow Arsenal in the Premier League.

My days of work are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. I look forward to seeing you all 

around the school. I’m working up in the office area so you can find me there if you’d like to have a chat.