Looking after your mind: Getting support
Source: Hero up, Beyond Blue (2017)
Getting support
Sometimes life can get in the way of study. Things that have a habit of getting in the way include problems at school or home, body image issues, depression, binge drinking and drug abuse.
Any of these issues, or something else entirely, can happen during any year of school and can become too big to handle alone. If you need advice or help finding solutions, you can talk to a trusted adult, someone at an online or phone support service, or your can access counseling support at Newington via:
- Your Mentor, the Chaplains, Head of Year, or Head of House;
- You can self-refer (Mr. Nicholls and Mr. Comino are located upstairs in Le Couteur);
- Speak with your parents/carers who can liaise with the College on your behalf.
If you have a friend you want to support, but are worried you may say the wrong thing or make it worse, check out Beyond Blue's Check-in app which has four easy steps to help plan what to say to your friend and how to support them. The Check-in app is free to download from Google Play and the Apple App Store. Another useful website providing great ideas is Black Dog Institute.
Seek support
If you feel you need more support at any time, here's where you can get it:
- eHeadspace
eheadspace is a confidential, free and secure space where young people 12 - 25 or their family can chat, email or speak on the phone with a qualified youth mental health professional.
- Kids helpline
Kids Helpline offers a web counselling service to connect you one-on-one, real time, with a Kids Helpline counsellor. Because a lot of young people use web counselling, there is often a wait time before a counsellor is available. Or phone: 1800 55 1800 (24 hours)
- Lifeline
Lifeline chat is a short-term support for people who are overwhelmed and having difficulty coping or staying safe. It is available 7:00pm - 4.00am 7 days. Or phone: 13 11 14 (24 hours)
Participation programs to help with stress and anxiety
Here are some online and face-to-face programs you can participate in if you want to decrease your level of stress or anxiety.
- Study Without Stress Workshop
Study Without Stress (SWOS) is a program for any student currently undertaking their HSC. It is a psycho-educational program that equips students with both knowledge and practical tips on how to approach and overcome the stress associated with exams.
- thedesk
thedesk provides tertiary students with information and skills to help them be relaxed, energised, and connected during their time at university. However, many strategies can be applied to school study.
- Anxiety Canada: How to chill
An interactive module with strategies for de-stressing.
- Bite back
The Black Dog Institute’s BITE BACK contains interactive activities, quizzes, stories and videos, as well as information about various mental health topics. The content (and content delivery) has been informed by the principles of positive psychology.