School Counsellor News
Dear Families,
Last week our Grade 6 students welcomed Riki and Casey from Headspace to talk to them about safeguarding their mental health and wellbeing as they begin the transition to high school. Feedback from students was extremely positive. Headspace have also created an early intervention campaign to support young people and families with topics including relationships, identity, social media and the future. You can find these “NIP it the bud” resources here.
In keeping with Catholic Education Week’s 2023 theme of “communities of faith, hope and love”, I thought it timely to share some information on how to foster hope and resilience in children of all ages. Helping your child to deal with life’s ups and downs is an incredibly important life skill. As a parent or caregiver, part of your role is to teach your child how to be resilient and cope with life’s challenges. Resilience is a skill that everyone can learn. It develops over time and exists on a spectrum that is always changing through out life and with different experiences. When children have supportive relationships, they endure more easily, difficult life experiences. These supportive relationships help to enhance feelings of connection, which enhance coping and social skill development. In addition to simply providing a supportive relationship, teach your child how to self-regulate and deal with difficult emotions. Promote positive thinking, modelling to your child how to have an optimistic attitude in life. These qualities will help your child to thrive in life rather than simply to survive.
Some useful links to articles on resilience:
- Psycom – Resilience in children: Strategies to strengthen your kids
- Hey Sigmund – Building resilience in children – 20 practical, powerful strategies (backed by science)
If you’d like more information about headspace, resilience, or our SSPS wellbeing program, please reach out via email: anne.woodcroft-brown@twb.catholic.edu.au or visit our SSPS Wellbeing Hub.
