IMPORTANT - MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

Next week is Mental health week.

This is a very important subject and we will be discussing wellbeing and mental health with all students in an age appropriate manner. Teachers have information and activities to share with children.

Please take the time to talk with your children about their feelings and encouraging this type of communication as a regular check-in with your children.

IMPORTANT MENTAL HEALTH STATISTICS!

  • 1 in 7 primary school kids have a mental illness
  • 1 in 4 adolescents have a mental illness
  • 65% of adolescents do not seek help
  • 1 in 3 girls suffer from an anxiety disorder and 1 in 5 boys suffer an anxiety disorder

There are many strategies that have been found to be highly effective to build mental health and wellness in both children and parents that teachers will discuss during the week with their classes.

Below I have listed 3 of the most proven effective methods to strengthen wellbeing. Please try these out.The 3 most important Wellbeing strategies according to the wealth of research in this area are as follows:

G Gratitude

E Empathy

M Mindfulness

The smiling Mind App is a really useful app that you can use on a daily basis with your class. In regard to gratitude, the practice of children/adults regularly focusing each day on things that they are grateful for has been shown to develop an increased tendency to focus in and scan the environment for the positives rather than the negatives. Finally regarding empathy, doing KIND deeds for others results in increased levels of oxytocin and makes us

feel good so please take the time to encourage kindness both within your family and act as a role model.

If you or your child has any concerns that they would like to discuss please feel free to call me via the school office at any time

Please stay tuned for a date in the near future for a parent session on Wellbeing and mental health that I will present along with Father Tuan.

I have also attached below a list of very useful websites and will ensure that these are available on our school website.

Regards,

Robynne.

  1. The Resilience Project
  1. Smiling Mind
  1. Engage 1-on-1

Children’s mental health and wellbeing:

  1. Kids Helpline

Resources (Search for a service according to suburb):

  1. Reachout
  1. The Black Dog Institute
  1. COPMI (Children of parents with a mental illness):
  1. Beyond Blue:
  1. Kids Matter
  1. Headspace