Pastoral Care Update – October 17, 2019

2019 Pastoral Care Program: Information for Parents

Mental Health Week is celebrated each year for a week in October, which is marked by World Mental Health Day on October 10. Over this last week, St Patrick’s College has celebrated ‘Mental Health Week’. Prior to this week, the members of the Student Wellbeing Group have been hard at work preparing for an assembly, which took place today. The Student Wellbeing Group is a student leadership group made up of 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 have created a series of messages that were read out to all pastoral care classes throughout this week. Please see below the messages the Student Wellbeing Group have promoted to all students this week:

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.

Quote for Monday: “It’s OKAY, to make mistakes, to have bad days, to be less than perfect, to do what’s best for you, to be yourself”
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 also 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.

Quote for Tuesday: “The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about”
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.

As co-ordinator of Mental Health Week in Victoria, the Mental Health Foundation of Australia is delighted to have the active involvement and participation of state and federal governments, as well as non-government organisations and community-based health and social impact agencies.

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. In particular, we look forward to celebrating it formally at the upcoming Mental Health Assembly on Friday.

Wednesday quote: “The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow”
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.

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

Thursday quote: “Not every day is good, but there is good in everyday”
The assembly today saw the Student Wellbeing Group lead conversations in the idea that it is crucial to look out for your friends. The assembly also involved a guest speaker from SANE Australia, CEO Jack Heath, as well as a series of videos, promoting the concepts of looking out for your friends.

Keeping Safe: Information for Parents
As part of St Patrick’s College mission to create a safe and secure learning environment for our students, it is crucial that our broader community of parents are well-informed with the latest information and research available, so we can work as partners to keep our students safe. This week’s focus is to outline the fourth unit of the Keeping Safe curriculum: ‘Protective Strategies’.

For junior and middle school students, this component of the curriculum explores the idea of developing an independent life, by understanding factors in positive relationships and gaining and reviewing knowledge about abuse. This is contextualised through students acquiring an insight as to how to respond in uncomfortable or unsafe situations. Students are given the opportunity to analyse situations and to explore alternative courses of action and consequences. More specifically, students discuss problem solving strategies and review their network of trusted people. Senior school students further investigate the identification of situations where self-protection is needed, as well as gaining a comprehensive understanding of the importance of community in building a trusted network.

I would encourage you to maintain an open dialogue with your sons regarding the importance of continuing to build a network of trusted people in their lives.

For more information on our Pastoral Care program, please visit:
https://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/en/st-patricks-college/pastoral-care/

Kind regards,
Bradley Murray
Pastoral Care Coordinator