Hello Winters Flat Community.

At Winters Flat we are committed to nurturing the mental health of our students. It is fundamental to a good education that Wellbeing forms an integral part of our approach. The term Wellbeing refers to when individuals have the psychological, social and physical resources they need to meet everyday challenges. It sounds like a lot to achieve, but schools must ensure they are doing all they can to support students and their families in this endeavour.

CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

There has been much research of late into the area of childhood trauma and its effects on the brain. Trauma remains a largely misunderstood term and deserves much focus within schools. Approximately two thirds of young people will have been exposed to a traumatic event by the time they turn 16. Experiencing a traumatic event can potentially affect both a child’s current and future mental health.

There are two types of trauma that we see commonly in children. 1. Single event trauma is related to a single, unexpected event, such as a physical or sexual assault, a bushfire, an accident, or a serious illness or injury. Experiences of loss can also be traumatic, for example, the death of a loved one, a miscarriage, or a suicide. 2. Complex trauma is related to prolonged or ongoing traumatic events, usually connected to personal relationships, such as domestic violence, bullying, childhood neglect, witnessing trauma, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or torture.

Schools are becoming better at using trauma informed approaches in the classroom (https://www.monash.edu/education/teachspace/articles/five-approaches-for-creating-trauma-informed-classrooms) and at Winters Flat we have begun a relationship with the Berry Street Education Model, a research-informed, multifaceted and systemic approach to engage children in their learning. Wellbeing and engagement is at the core of the Berry Street Educational Model, with a strong emphasis on positive psychology and positive education. Teachers at Winters Flat are already trained in the model and we are looking to update our training in this area over the next year.

If you feel that your children may have experienced trauma there are some things that can be done to help your child recover. These simple steps and ideas are detailed in this very accessible and helpful article: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/trauma-and-children-tips-for-parents

Parents or care-givers should seek help if:

• you are concerned or unsure about how your child is coping
• you are not coping yourself – this makes it harder for you to help the child to cope and you may both need to seek help
• the child has lots of symptoms and things are not settling
• the household has experienced a significant loss and the community around the child is disrupted
• several family members are affected and there does not seem to be enough attention to go around
• the family is struggling to re-establish any kind of routine or predictable pattern in the household and week.

MEANINGFUL MAY

On a more positive note, it is Meaningful May! Meaningful May is all about reflecting on what gives our life meaning. Being a part of something bigger than ourselves and focusing on things that we value is key to our wellbeing. So let's take time to reflect on what we care about this month and keep these things at the front of our minds as our societies begin to open up again. Some ideas and activities to do this include:

-Make a list of what someone means to you and why.

-Do something kind for someone you care about.

-Listen to one of your favourite songs and remember why you love it.

For the full calendar of ideas check out this link: https://www.actionforhappiness.org/meaningful-may

Finally, here is an awesome poster print out that I use often with my students to kick-start conversations about emotions. Having one of these up on the wall is such an easy and useful first step to talking about emotions (your child’s and you own) at home. Print out this document or there are some copies at the front office.

The mental health support system is under immense pressure since Covid-19 began last year. If you are having trouble accessing any services please contact me on hannah.okeefe@education.vic.gov.au. I am available for a chat/meeting on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9:30 and 2:30.

By far the best service you can contact if you or your child are experiencing mental health issues is the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. They have a 24 hour number you can call to talk with someone and access services in the region: 1300 363 788 (https://www.bendigohealth.org.au/ChildandAdolescentMentalHealthService/).

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The following list is a comprehensive directory of mental health support services. (If your safety or the safety of others is at risk, contact emergency services on 000)

HeadtoHelp 1800 595 212

Cairnmillar Institute (free telehealth counselling) - https://www.cairnmillar.org.au/telehealth

Beyond Blue

1300 22 4636 (24 Hrs)

Lifeline
13 11 14 (24 Hrs)

Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467 (24 Hrs)

Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800 (24 Hrs)

Other helplines

Tandem Support and Referral Line information, support, advocacy or referral for family members or friends who are supporting a person with mental health issues. Call 1800 314 325.

Blue Knot Foundation Helpline information, support or referral for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380, 9am-5pm / 7 days a week.

Butterfly Foundation's National Helpline counselling and treatment referral for people with eating disorders, and body image and related issues. Call 1800 33 4673 8am-9pm / 7 days a week.

eheadspace mental health and wellbeing support, information and services to young people aged 12 to 25 years and their families. Call 1800 650 890.

MensLine Australia telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours / 7 days a week.

MindSpot Clinic telephone and online service for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression. Call 1800 61 44 34 AEST, 8am-8pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-6pm (Sat).

QLife telephone and web-based services to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. Call 1800 184 527, 3pm-12am (midnight) / 7 days a week.

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) telephone information, counselling and referral service. Call 1300 726 306, 9am-7:30pm AEST (Mon-Fri).

Brother to Brother, a 24-hour crisis line for Aboriginal men has been set up to provide extra support during the coronavirus pandemic. Call 1800 435 799.

SANE Australia support, training and education enabling those with a mental illness to lead a better life. Call 1800 18 7263, 9am-5pm (Mon-Fri).

The Compassionate Friends Victoria information and peer support for families trying to rebuild their lives after the death of a child, sibling or grandchild, from trained volunteers with lived experience. Call 9888 4944 or 1300 064 068 24/7. Siblings (aged 18-30 years) can use the web chat daily, 3pm-12am.

Open Arms (Veterans and Families Counselling) 24/7 free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, and their families. Call 1800 011 046.

Mental Health Foundation Australia National Mental Health Helpline offers emotional and practical support to families, carers and individuals with mental health issues. The response team does not provide counselling but can arrange a call back from a trained Psychologist or Counsellor. Call 1300 643 287. 

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Hannah O'Keefe

Wellbeing Officer, Winters Flat Primary School

(Tuesdays and Fridays 9:30-2:30)

Hannah.Okeefe@education.vic.gov.au

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*If you wish for your child/ren to participate in sessions with Hannah, please ensure you provide permission on XUNO or sign a hard copy of the permission form available at the office.