Over the coming weeks, Year 12 students will experience one of the most stressful times of their lives: exams. ReachOut.com, supported by the Australian Government, is available for students for free, 24/7, with exam stress support and advice. Parents can also experience exam stress and want to know how best to support their teen without adding to existing pressure or creating unrealistic expectations. Students and parents can find information and support at ReachOut.com/Exams.
World mental health day: Mental health is not extracurricular
10th October is World Mental Health Day. The theme for this year is ‘Young people and mental health in a changing world’. Adolescence and early adulthood are a time of life when young people are developing their identities while many big life changes occur, like changing schools, leaving school and home, and starting a new job or university. These can be times of stress, worry and apprehension. The expanding use of online technologies, can also bring additional pressures, as connectivity to virtual networks at any time of the day and night grows.
Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated. In terms of the burden of the disease among adolescents, depression is the third leading cause. Harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs among adolescents can lead to risky behaviours. Eating disorders can have serious impact on the health and mental health of teens.
Fortunately, there is a growing recognition of the importance of helping young people build mental resilience, from the earliest ages, in order to cope with the challenges of today’s world. Evidence is growing that promoting and protecting adolescent health brings benefits not just to adolescents’ health, both in the short- and the long-term, but also to communities and society as a whole.
Try to find ways to connect with your teen and check in with them so they can open up if they are struggling and here are five lifestyle changes that we can use to help improve our mental health.
Psychological services via telehealth (videoconference) for people living in rural and remote Australia
The Australian Government has removed the face-to-face requirements for the Better Access to Mental Health Care telehealth items available to people living in rural and remote areas (Modified Monash Model regions 4 to 7). This means clients are no longer required to have one of their first four sessions conducted face-to-face and eligible clients can access up to 10 telehealth sessions in a calendar year, with a referral from a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician. We offer telehealth videoconference appointments via Skype.
For more information visit the Department of Health website: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-ba-telehealth
How Sesame Street can help children cope with trauma
"These big feelings are OK," shop owner Alan tells Big Bird
As part of its ongoing community development program, Sesame Street has launched an online teaching program, “Traumatic Experiences,” that teaches kids and families how to express emotion and release tension after experiencing or witnessing trauma.
The series includes helpful resources to reduce the harmful effects on children from negative and stressful experiences. There are videos that offer constructive ways for kids to handle "big feelings", bursts of emotion that can seem impossible to deal with. Sesame Street characters are shown dealing with their emotional responses to trauma differently, modeling coping strategies for kids. Each of the videos comes with a learning guide for adults working with kids.
Perinatal anxiety and depression awareness week (12-18 Nov)
Perinatal anxiety and depression is a serious and common illness that can happen to any expecting or new parent. It doesn’t discriminate. Up to 1 in 5 expecting or new mums and 1 in 10 expecting or new dads will experience perinatal anxiety or depression. Seeking help does not mean you are a bad parent – it shows you are trying to do the best thing for your family. Look for the signs and symptoms of perinatal anxiety and depression. These can include constant sadness or crying; panic attacks; persistent, generalised worry; sleep problems unrelated to the baby’s needs; lethargy; loss of confidence and self-esteem; and withdrawal from friends and family. By starting conversations, you can help expecting and new mums, dads and their families understand what the illness is, what the signs are and why it’s important to seek help early. The PANDA National Helpline is available for support on 1300 726 306. Help those who are struggling to know they’re not alone by sharing this post for #PNDAawarenessWeek.
Tuning into Teens program for parents (26 Oct to 30 Nov 2017)
Parenting teens can be tough – teenage years are full of challenges and change. Hormonal changes can cause intense emotions and rapid mood shifts and teenagers are exploring their identity and experimenting to try and find the right fit.
We are excited to be running a 6 week group program for parents of teenagers and preteens (ages 11-18) called Tuning into Teens. The program will run on Thursdays 9.30am - 11.30am for 6 weeks (26 October - 30 November 2017) at our offices in Bunda Street, Canberra city. The cost is $410 (GST inclusive) per person, including parent manual to keep, paid prior to commencement.
About Tuning into Teens
Tuning into Teens is a 6 week program that provides parents with a greater understanding of their teen’s emotional experiences while teaching specific skills that can assist in being supportive, empathic and staying connected with the young person.
It can help parents move from the role of ‘manager’ for their child (planning and organising everything for them), to ‘consultant’ (a person your child can trust, who provides solid advice and guidance, but who also supports their growing independence). The program supports parents to help their teen develop emotional intelligence, which helps them make good decisions.
Parents who are interested can contact our reception on 02 6195 0844.
Gambling Harm Awareness Week (27 Oct to 3 Nov)
Almost 15,000 Canberrans report some form of harm from gambling and 43,000 Canberrans have a family member with gambling problems. Gambling harm involves more than financial losses. Gambling harm can hurt families, relationships, work, health and wellbeing. Sadly, the stigma associated with gambling means that people and families are often too embarrassed and ashamed to seek help. Gambling Harm Awareness Week is being held from 27 October to 3 November 2016 to raise awareness about gambling harm and the supports available, including:
- ACT Gambling and Racing Commission’s Gambling Harm Awareness page
- Gambling Help Online
- Phone 1800 858 858 - counselling, information and support 24/7
- Gambling information site for young people in Canberra (recently launch by the Youth Coalition of the ACT): www.at-odds.com.au
Mental Health Week
Monday 10th October was World Mental Health Day and the start of National Mental Health Week. Mental illness will affect 1 in 5 Australians in the next 12 months and almost half of all Australians at some point in their lifetime. The aim of Mental Health Week is to promote social and emotional wellbeing to the community, encouraging people to maximise their health potential, enhance our coping capacity and increase mental health recovery. The theme for Mental Health Week this year is ‘learn and grow together’. There are lots of ways to get involved and lots of events happening across the ACT this week and most are free. We have been engaging in some activities to recognise the importance of supporting mental health. Each morning we have been trying out a different mindfulness exercise using free apps that you can download onto your computer or smartphone, such as ‘Headspace meditation’ and ‘Smiling Minds’. There is a strong link between physical and mental health and so we have been doing some exercise to support our wellbeing, doing a yoga class, going for a bike ride and walking to work. Finally, we are having a morning tea to acknowledge the importance of a supportive community to our mental health. We hope you can try something this week to look after your own mental health and wellbeing.
Mindfulness activity links:
https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app
https://smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app/
Mental health day website: https://1010.org.au/
ACT mental health week: http://www.mentalhealthweekact.org/
Almost there
Ikea instructions have been decoded, computer and printer have been wrestled with and we are open for clients from September 12. Breaking out the bubbly.