Pastoral Care Report – October 18, 2018

Pastoral Care at St Patrick’s College

Mental Health Week is celebrated each year for a week in October, which is marked by World Mental Health Day on October 10.- This week, St Patrick’s College celebrate Mental Health Week. The members of the Student Wellbeing Group have been hard at work throughout the year preparing for this week.

The Student Wellbeing Group is a student leadership group made up of over 20 passionate students, whose mission is to promote student wellbeing and to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health. In particular, to encourage young men to seek help when needed. The student leaders in this group created a series of messages that have been read out to all pastoral care classes throughout the week.-

Please see below the messages the Student Wellbeing Council have promoted to all students this week:

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MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

This week, as a College community, we come together to formally celebrate Mental Health Week. The reason we undertake this celebration is to attempt to draw attention to the needs of all members of our College community, students and staff, in regards to each person maintaining a good sense of mental health and wellbeing. It is crucial that every member of the college takes time to look after themselves, and to make efforts to minimize stress and anxiety wherever possible, and for us to take time to look out for each other every day.

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WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?

The Australian Government’s National Mental Health Plan defines mental health as: -not simply the absence of mental illness but more a state of emotional and social wellbeing in which the individual can cope with the normal stresses of life and achieve his or her potential.- Mental health, just like physical health is something, which everyone has. It can range from good to poor, and change over time. Good mental health helps us form positive relationships with others, handle ups and downs, and generally enjoy life. Poor mental health can result in feelings sad and drained at stages. Mental health doesn’t mean being happy all the time. We all know what it’s like to be sad, angry, afraid, or upset, and everyone will experience a range of these feelings.-

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MENTAL HEALTH WEEK -“ What is Mental Health Week

Mental Health Week aims to activate, educate and engage Victorians about mental health, through a week of interactive events across the state, including an official launch, community festivals, art exhibitions, music, theatre and seminars.-

From its beginnings in 1985, the week has grown to encompass hundreds of events, organised by a multitude of individuals, community groups and service providers throughout the state. Much of the effort of running Mental Health Week comes from dedicated volunteers committed to promoting mental wellbeing, furthering knowledge about mental health and eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness. Every year on the 10th of October marks World Mental Health Day.- -‹We, the Student Wellbeing Group, hope to continue to promote student wellbeing and mental health at St Patrick’s College

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MENTAL HEALTH WEEK – Getting help

There are multiple sources where you can seek support with mental health. Beyond blue and Headspace are both great websites where students can gather advice on what you can to if you are in need of help.- Research shows that high levels of mental health are associated with increased learning, creativity and productivity, more pro-social behaviour and positive social relationships, and with improved physical health and life expectancy.

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Within our College community, you can also seek help from your pastoral care teacher, year level coordinators, and our counselling team.

Visit -Beyond Blue-:- https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Visit -Headspace-:- https://www.headspace.org.au

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MENTAL HEALTH WEEK — Maintaining and improving your mental health

Maintaining and improving mental health can be something that most young people struggle with.- As the Student Wellbeing Group, we have come up with 5 simple and easy ways to maintain and improving your mental health:

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1. Keep Active – Moving and becoming physically active is- a great- first step in achieving not only- a healthy body but also a healthy- mind.

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2. Talk about your feelings – If you are feeling worried or stressed, no matter how insignificant it may seem, it is important that you talk to someone about it, this may be parents, friends, teachers or even the school counsellor.

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3. Surround yourself with good people – Hanging out with people who value you for who you are and treat you with respect will make you feel incredibly good about yourself.

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4. Have some quiet time – Ensure that amongst the stresses and noise of high school and being a teenager in general, take some time out to be by yourself and appreciate the quiet.

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5. Value yourself – Realise- your full potential and strive to be the best you can be in all of your endeavours.

Today will see the Student Wellbeing Group lead a whole school assembly, dedicated to celebrating Mental Health Week. The assembly will involve a guest speaker; Glenn Manton, an ex-AFL player, as well as a series of videos, promoting the concepts of stress management and mindfulness practices.

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I would encourage all students and parents to fully engage and participate in all of our wellbeing programs on offer, as they are an integral element of our broader mission to educate the whole person.

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