The mental health and wellbeing of all our community is something that we can work together on during this unprecedented time.  The following are some resources that should provide some support at home for families and students.

Student Wellbeing in the time of COVID-19

Physical distancing does not mean we do not still engage in social connections while learning from home. This resource has been created to ensure you continue to maintain a healthy body and mind during the holiday period or if/when we continuing to learn remotely. 

Child Safety while online

The following points are important for all students:

• Everyone has the right to feel and be safe
• We all need to make sure that our school is safe, supportive, inclusive and empowering
• When a student is unsafe (physically or mentally), it is important to seek help from a trusted adult
• All staff and students are responsible for Student Safety and Wellbeing

Student Participation

All students need to help each other and teachers make the College a safe place for all. Students are aware of how and who they can report to, if they feel unsafe.

Reporting and Responding

When a student feels unsafe or is worried about another student, they can make contact with their Pastoral Leader, Mr Mansfield or Mrs Heffernan.

Coronavirus – Healthy Practices  

School communities across the state are continuing to monitor the impact of COVID-19.  The situation is changing rapidly and our immediate focus is to minimise the spread of this, and other viruses, in our school and community by observing standard hygiene practices. 

We can all limit the transmission of germs and viruses by doing the following:

• Washing hands immediately after blowing your nose and before eating
• Wash hands thoroughly after going to the toilet (Soap and water is the best method of washing hands)
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose & eyes
• Cough into your elbow, not your hands if tissues are not available (Dispose of the tissues into a bin and then wash your hands afterwards)
• Don’t share drink bottles or food

How to stay safe online

COVID-19 is likely to mean young people spending more time at home, and online. There are a lot of great ways you can use connected devices to learn and play, but there are also risks that you need to make sure you avoid. eSafety has a wide range of advice for parents and carers covering common online safety issues like managing screen time, cyberbullying, inappropriate content, sending nudes and contact from strangers. 

Below are some principles for positive Digital Citizenship as well as links to resources for assistance in all areas of adolescence life. 

Six Principles of Positive Digital Citizenship

1. Respect Yourself

I will take ownership of my actions. I will think deeply about the information and images that I post online. I will consider what personal information about my life, experiences, experimentation or relationships I post. I will not be obscene.

2. Protect Yourself

I will think deeply about the information, images and materials I post online that they will not put me at risk. I will not publish my personal details or schedule of my activities. I will be courageous and report any attacks or inappropriate behaviour directed at me. I will protect passwords, accounts and resources.

3. Respect others

I will show respect to others. I will not use electronic mediums to bully, harass or stalk other people. I will make connections between the websites I use and the impact they may have on my learning and the learning of other. I will not visit sites that are degrading, pornographic, racist or inappropriate. I will not abuse my rights of access and I will not enter other people’s private spaces or areas.

4. Protect Others

I will be courageous and report any abuse, refrain from forwarding inappropriate materials or communications; and not visiting sites that are degrading, pornographic, racist or inappropriate. 

5. Respect Intellectual Property

I will request permission to use resources. I will think deeply about any use of websites, books, media etc. I will validate information. I will use and abide by the fair use rules.

6. Helpful Resources:

• Beyondblue: www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 224 636
• Headspace: www.headspace.org.au
• Kids Help Line: www.kidshelp.com.au 1800 55 1800
• Reach OUT: www.reachout.com.au
• Youth Central: www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au 

Raisingchildren.net.au – the Australian parenting website 

The Australian parenting website, Raising Children provides many useful resources to help navigate the difficult landscape called adolescence. The Teenagers (video) section has short useful clips on various topics:

• Healthy lifestyle and fitness: teenagers
• Teens talk: relationships with parents
• Teenage independence
• Supporting teenage independence: rules and boundaries
• Nutrition and eating well for teenagers

Want to Learn More about Mental Health Issues?

If you need information relating to general mental health, physical health, work and study and alcohol and other drugs, the Headspace website has an information library where you can find tips and resources on a range of topics and issues.

The Headspace website also has a section for friends and family with information and services to help support a young person going through a tough time.

https://headspace.org.au

The Kids Helpline website has a section with information for kids of all ages as well as parents. Here you can find information on issues such as physical health and identity, mental health, friends, family, relationships, school, life issues and safety.

https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Stress, anxiety and feeling down can affect anyone, and in fact happens to a lot of us at some point in our lives. Youth Beyond Blue has a range of videos and resources to help you understand, do something or help someone you know.

https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/

Want to Talk to Someone? 

e-Headspace

e-headspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people aged 12 - 25 and their families and friends. You can connect 1-on-1 with a counsellor 9am – 1am, 7 days a week. It’s a confidential, free and a safe space to talk about what’s going on.

There are a number of ways you can speak to an eheadspace counsellor:

• Online chat or email - you will need to register for this service at https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/
• Phone - 1800 650 890
• Group chat - group chats allow you to connect with people like you. Led by a Headspace professional, group chats explore a range of helpful topics

If you are experiencing a personal crisis and need to talk to someone urgently, call Lifeline on  13 11 14 for 24 hour crisis support 

Kids Helpline

Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free and private 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.

There are a number of ways you can speak to a Kids Helpline counsellor:

• You can speak to a counsellor over the phone for free on 1800 55 1800. This is the fastest way to talk to a counsellor.
• You can connect one-on-one with a Kids Helpline counsellor through WebChat.
• You can email a counsellor. They will try and get back to you as soon as they can, but this can take longer than contacting a counsellor by phone or WebChat

https://kidshelpline.com.au/

They also have a parents section on their website with lots of information and there is also a parentline to help parents navigate difficult parenting dilemmas. Call 13 22 89 between 8am to midnight 7 days a week.

Youth Beyond Blue

No matter who you are, or how you are feeling, you can talk it through with a trained mental health professional at Youth Beyond Blue. All calls and chats are one-on-one and completely confidential.

There are a number of ways you can speak to a Youth Beyond Blue counsellor:

• You can speak to a counsellor over the phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4436.
• You can connect one-on-one with a counsellor between 3pm and 12am 7 days a week by clicking on this button on their website
• You can email a counsellor and get a response within 24 hours by clicking on this button on their website

https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/ 

What if it’s Something Happening Online?

Most social media services have rules prohibiting cyberbullying and have a complaints/reporting tool where you can ask for cyberbullying material to be removed. If they do not remove the content within 48 hours you can make a cyberbullying complaint to eSafety at 

https://www.esafety.gov.au/report 

The eSafety Commissioner website has a lot of other information, tips and tricks to help Australians have safer, more positive experiences online.

What if it’s an emergency?

If you’re in an emergency situation or need immediate assistance, call emergency services on 000.

Nathan Mansfield

Assistant Principal – Pastoral Care