Mental Health

At Norwood Secondary College, we understand that mental health and wellbeing are vital for the development and academic success of our students. Mental health challenges are common, with 14% of Australian children aged 4-17 experiencing mental health or behavioural issues. Our goal is to provide accessible support for students and their families, offering a range of resources to help students manage their mental health challenges.

Support Services Available

At Norwood Secondary College, we have a dedicated team of wellbeing professionals who are available to support student mental health and wellbeing. Our wellbeing team helps students with various concerns, including general mental health issues, school avoidance, behavioural challenges, and short-term counselling.

Students can request support directly, seek guidance from their teachers or the wellbeing staff, or have parent’s request assistance on their behalf through the Head of Year Level.

While our wellbeing team can provide support during school hours, mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety often require professional help outside of school. We can assist in connecting families to outside resources when needed.

Support Beyond school

Community Sector Support

There are several non-profit organizations that provide mental health services and resources, including:

• EACH – Child, Youth and Families: Offers services for children, youth, and families, including counselling, family support, and programs addressing mental health, family violence, and youth development.
• Headspace: Offers free mental health services, including counselling, parenting groups, and online support (E-Headspace).
• Lifeline: Provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services (13 11 14) or online chat.
• Kids Helpline: A free, confidential counselling service for young people (1800 55 1800).
• Black Dog Institute: Specializes in the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder.
• Maroondah City Council Community Directory: A comprehensive directory of community and not-for-profit organizations in Maroondah.

Private Sector Support

Many mental health professionals in the private sector can provide more specialized care for students. These include paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors. Here are some key details about accessing private mental health services:

• Psychologists: Psychologists are trained to treat a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and life challenges. Medicare subsidies may be available if your child is referred by a GP.
  • Cost: Psychologists often charge a fee, but Medicare may subsidize up to $124.50 per session with a Mental Health Care Plan.
  • Bulk-billing: Some psychologists offer bulkbilling for those facing financial hardship or those with government concession cards.
• Psychiatrists: As medical doctors with specialized training, psychiatrists can diagnose and treat mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and provide therapy. They often work alongside psychologists for comprehensive care.
  • Cost and Bulkbilling: Like psychologists, psychiatrists charge fees, but subsidies may be available through Medicare.
• Paediatricians: Paediatricians specialise in treating children and adolescents with both physical and mental health issues. They can diagnose and prescribe medication for conditions like ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
  • Cost and Bulkbilling: Paediatricians charge for services, but Medicare may cover some or all of the cost. Bulk-billing may be available for those with financial needs.

Public Sector Support

Public Sector Support Public offers mental health services that are funded by the government and can be accessed through local hospitals. These services are ideal for those in crisis or experiencing significant mental health concerns.

• Crisis Assessment and Treatment (CATT): Available for urgent situations, such as self-harm or suicidal thoughts, through local hospital emergency departments.
• Intensive Child and Youth Mental Health Services (ICYMHS): Provides ongoing mental health care for children and young people.

In case of an emergency, always call 000 or visit the emergency department of your nearest hospital.

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Sleep

Good quality sleep is essential for maintaining physical and mental wellbeing. Lack of sleep can negatively affect mood, behaviour, and academic performance.

Here are some strategies to promote sleep hygiene:

1. Set a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Help your child go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to regulate their body’s internal clock.
2. Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Encourage quiet activities like reading or relaxation exercises before bed.
3. Limit Screen Time: Ensure your child stops using electronic devices at least 30-60 minutes before bedtime to avoid disruption to their sleep cycle.
4. Optimise the Bedroom Environment: Make sure the room is cool, dark, and quiet. A comfortable mattress and pillow can improve sleep quality.
5. Encourage Physical Activity: Regular exercise is beneficial for sleep but avoid intense activity right before bed.

For more in-depth resources, visit:

• Sleep Health Foundation: Offers advice on promoting good sleep hygiene.
• Raising Children Network: Provides tips on managing sleep in teenagers.
• Better Health Channel: Offers resources and guidance on teenagers and sleep.

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School Avoidance

School avoidance refers to when a student consistently avoids or refuses to attend school due to emotional distress, such as anxiety, fear, or depression. This differs from truancy, where students skip school intentionally. School avoidance is often accompanied by physical complaints (e.g., headaches or stomach aches) that tend to improve when the student stays home. It is a complex issue that may be linked to mental health challenges, social difficulties, or academic stress.

At Norwood Secondary College, we understand that dealing with school avoidance can be difficult for both the student and their family. Early intervention and support are essential for ensuring that the student returns to school and receives the help they need.

Signs of School Avoidance

School avoidance may manifest in several ways, including:

• • Persistent reluctance or avoidance to attend school.
  • Frequent complaints of physical symptoms (headaches, stomach-aches) that seem to improve when staying home.
  • Increased anxiety, mood swings, or irritability.
  • Difficulty separating from parents in the mornings.
  • Struggles with schoolwork, social relationships, or specific school activities.

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to address the issue early to prevent it from worsening.

Steps to Take if Your Child Is Refusing to Attend School

1. Talk to Your Child
   • Have an open conversation to understand the reasons behind their avoidance. Are they experiencing bullying, struggling with schoolwork, or facing social challenges? Identifying the cause is key to addressing the issue effectively.
2. Communicate with the School
   • Our dedicated team at Norwood Secondary College is available to support students who are refusing to attend school. We can arrange for:
   • Regular check-ins with our wellbeing team.
   • Support for reintegration back into school.
   • Coordination with teachers to ensure students are not falling behind.
3. Seek Professional Help
   • If your child is experiencing significant anxiety or emotional distress, consider consulting with a psychologist or counsellor who can provide tailored guidance (refer to the mental health section).

Support Resources

Navigating school avoidance can be challenging, and as a parent, you are not alone. There are several resources available to assist you:

1. • Visit Raising Children Network: Practical advice on managing school avoidance, anxiety, and family dynamics.
   • Anglicare Victoria: Offers resource, advice and programs to assist parents address the complexity of school avoidance.
   • Parent Line: Phone counselling service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old to offer support on parenting issues.
   • Find a Psychologist: Access Australian Psychological Society (APS) to find a registered psychologist for help with school avoidance and related issues

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Bullying

Bullying can take many forms, including physical, verbal, social, psychological, and cyberbullying. It involves behaviours intended to harm, intimidate, or isolate others. At Norwood Secondary College, we take bullying very seriously and are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students.

Bullying Prevention Policy

Norwood Secondary College has a comprehensive bullying prevention policy in place that is aligned with the Department of Education’s requirements. This policy is accessible to all parents and students via the school website.

If you have concerns about bullying, here are some steps to follow:

• • Track the incidents: Keep a record of bullying incidents, including dates, what happened, and any actions taken.
  • Communicate with the school: Inform the Head of Year Level of any incidents in a timely manner.
  • Report bullying: Report bullying incidents that are witnessed to a school staff member. It’s essential that everyone understands their responsibility in preventing bullying behaviours from occurring.

Support for Students Affected by Bullying

• • School Wellbeing Team: Support is available for students who are experiencing bullying or those who are engaging in bullying behaviour. Our team works with students to resolve these issues and promote positive social interactions.
  • Raising Children Network – Bullying Resources: Provides additional resources for parents on how to support their children if they experience bullying.
  • Bullying No Way: Provides parents and carers with online resources on how to prevent and respond to bullying.
  • Individual Therapy and Counselling: Students can access individual counselling services to help address bullying-related trauma and build resilience (refer to the mental health section).

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E-Safety

E-safety involves protecting personal information and well-being while engaging online. It covers areas such as managing privacy, preventing cyberbullying, controlling screen time, and avoiding inappropriate content. By practicing good online habits, students can ensure their safety while navigating the digital world.

Key E-Safety Tips:

• • Be cautious when sharing personal information online and use strong, unique passwords.
  • Report cyberbullying and save evidence; be kind and respectful when interacting online.
  • Maintain a healthy balance between screen time, schoolwork, and physical activity.
  • Take regular breaks from screens using the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eye strain.
  • Report inappropriate content to an adult or the platform and use safety apps or filters.

Resources for Students and Parents

• • eSafety Commissioner: The Australian government’s eSafety website provides a range of resources for students, parents, and educators. It covers everything from cyberbullying prevention to online gaming safety.
  • ThinkUKnow: ThinkUKnow is an online safety program designed for young people, parents, and educators, focusing on issues such as online grooming, sexting, and the safe use of social media.
  • Kids Helpline: Kids Helpline offers 24/7 support for young people aged 5-25. If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed or unsafe online, you can contact Kids Helpline for anonymous and confidential support.

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Wellness Wednesday

As part of our whole school approach to student wellbeing, Wellness Wednesday is a weekly initiative led by our dedicated Wellbeing Team. Every Wednesday at lunchtime, students are invited to enjoy freshly prepared treats – a small but meaningful way to foster connection, care, and community within the school.

Each week also features a Mental Health Topic of the Week, offering practical strategies, tips, and information to support students’ mental health and emotional wellbeing. These resources are shared with both students and families via Compass and email, helping to promote continued conversations and wellbeing awareness beyond the school gates.

Stay connected and catch a glimpse of our weekly highlights by following us on Instagram:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by NSC Wellness Wednesday (@nscwellnesswednesday)

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Resources

For Students

For Parents

Ask For Resources 

We recognise that every situation is unique, and if you need additional resources or have specific concerns, we encourage you to reach out to our wellbeing team for support.

We also welcome suggestions for additional resources that may help improve the wellbeing and support of our school community. If you notice any issues with the resources provided, such as broken links or outdated information, please inform us so we can update our content promptly.

At Norwood Secondary College, we are dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all our students and their families.

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