Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
School-Link News
What’s new in School Link & CAMHS?
SCHOOL-LINK News
Orange and Region
HEALTH & EDUCATION WORKING TOGETHER
Message from the Coordinator
Welcome back to Term 4.
Inside this issue read about Mental Health
month, starting in October with the theme,
KINDNESS: Little Acts BIG Impacts!
Read about John’s story, an inspiring young
carer, who has cared for his mother since he
was 5 yrs. Follow the link to watch John’s story
on the Insight website. See the Resources
available for young carers.
Are you interested in requesting a BlackDog
Institute seminar in your town? see the
presentations available on pp7-8. Relationships
Australia and Interrelate have some great
programs running in our area in Term 4, pp9-
11.
Following on from the Trauma information
presented last term see the FREE resources
available on line on p 13.to support students in
the classroom.
Please feel free to get in touch with any
comments, feedback or contributions for the
next newsletter. Have a great term!
Cathie Matthews
School-Link Coordinator.
TERM 4 2013, ISSUE 11
Inside this issue:
What’s new in School-Link & CAMHS?
2
Celebrating Mental Health Month
3-4
Young Carers 5-6
Request a BlackDog session… 7-8
What’s happening in our area?
9-11
Resources & Training 12-13
Please pass on this newsletter to:
all interested staff
leave a copy in the staff room
contact of you would like an electronic copy
P: (02) 6360 8000
2
School-Link News
What’s new in School Link & CAMHS?
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Professional Networking meetings; We have recommenced these meetings,
with 2 meetings held so far in June and August. Both meetings were really well attended, with some great guest
speakers. In June, Dr Cathy McGuckin, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, gave us a very interesting insight into the
impact of trauma in child and adolescent development. In the August meeting Lisa Ryan, Senior Child Protection
Worker, was able to follow up with some very practical strategies for working with young people who have
experienced trauma. Sharon Jones, Clinical Coordinator for Infant, Child, Youth and Family Mental Health, provided
an update on the new development at Bloomfield Hospital, with the Rural Early Detection & Intervention program.
Next meeting will be held 17thOctober, with Dr Rosemary Howard, “Understanding Mental Health Medications for
Children & Adolescents”.
Youth Care Link Staff, Heather and Anne, have been busy providing Youth Mental Health First Aid courses in Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee. The Youth Health Forum was very well attended with a video link to Westmead Hospital on 11th September. Look out for the presentations to be posted at; http://www.caah.chw.edu.au/
If you have any concerns regarding a mental health concern please contact your local mental health service or
Mental Health Line 1800 011 511
It provides: *Mental health help for everyone. * 24 hr telephone service across NSW *Access to a mental health professional *Connection with local care services. *Support for carers and professionals. In an emergency contact 1800 011 511, your local hospital or the police, if required.
About Infant, Child and Family Mental Health Services … We AIM to: Intervene as early as possible to decrease the incidence, & severity of mental health problems using the best available evidence. REFERRALS can come from family, self, other agencies such as schools. CONTACTS: Bathurst 6330 5850.
Orange 6369 7320 Parkes 6863 7404 Forbes 6850 2233 Cowra 6341 2386
MENTAL HEALTH LINE 1800 011 511 (24 hour service across NSW)
Save the date!!! What? Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference When? 28th April, 2014, Orange. Who? Teachers, SLOs, youth workers, School Counsellors, Clinicians More information coming soon!!
.
3
School-Link News
Mental Health Month
KINDNESS: Little Acts BIG Impacts!!
4
School-Link News
Mental Health Month
KINDNESS: Little Acts BIG Impacts!!
http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/well-being/campaigns/mental-health-month-nsw.html
5
School-Link News
Young Carers – A Carer’s Story …
John has been caring for his mother since he was five years old. His mum suffers from panic attacks, anxiety & depression. On a typical morning, John prepares his mum’s medications, makes sure she takes them, prepares his own lunch & then hops on the school bus. Sometimes he needs to miss school when his mum isn’t well. Despite that, he’s doing well in school & wants to be an accountant or computer technician one day. See interview with John on Insight; http://www.sbs.com.au/insight/episode/watchonline/540/Young-Carers
John’s story…..
Hi my name is John Attard & I
am 13 years of age. I have been
helping care for my mother
Franseca for 5-6 years. My
mother suffers from anxiety &
depression and has severe panic attacks.
I help look after my mother by making sure she has
taken her medication, doing chores around the home
& generally supporting her and calming her when she
undergoes a panic attack. As I am still young it is not
always easy so I try & do the best I can.
I like to go out with my friends & I also like going to
Sydney to visit my extended family. I also enjoy going
to the beach. I love swimming & have a dog. I try and
do things that are relaxing & fun.
When I am older I would like to be an accountant or a
computer technician. I love computers & that is what I
am really passionate about. I’ve helped a few of our
friends with getting their computers up and running
showing them how to get onto the internet, scan
items & downloading things.
Other things I like doing are bike riding, playing the
Wii, & playing with my Play station. My favorite car
games are car racing. I also love listening to music. I
live in the country in a town called Bathurst &I like
living there a lot.
Recently I had the chance to talk about my
experiences as a Young Carer on ABC radio in Orange.
I really enjoyed this experience & would like to
encourage other Young Carers to get the support they
need. I also enjoyed seeing how the Radio Station
runs.
I have been involved with a lot of programs run in
Sydney & in Orange. I really enjoyed doing the SMILES
program & also a program called RAGE that I attended
with my family. I attended the Kookaburra camp held
in the Central West where other Young Carers got
together to have fun & to learn more about living with
mental illness. We have also attended other young
carer events for time out which I have enjoyed.
This year I got invited to speak on a program called
Insight on SBS television. My mother & father & our
Centacare worker also attended. I found the
experience interesting & exciting &inspiring to be a
part of.
My advice to other young carers is to take time out for
yourself, talk to somebody about how your feeling &
do things you enjoy doing.
John Attard-Young Carer Central West NSW
John was chosen this year for a national youth award
recognizing his contributions as a Young Carer John with Youth Minister
The Family and Carer Mental Health Program offers
support to Young Carers through their Young Carer
program. For further information regarding their
programs and the support they offer please ring
Kathy Walls at Centacare on 63931900
6
School-Link News
Young Carers
COPMI (Children of Parents with Mental
Illness) has a very practical website with resources
and information for young people, and professionals.
http://www.copmi.net.au/
Over a million Australian children have at least one parent with a mental illness. These children may face many challenges. A range of factors associated with families where a parent experiences mental illness can have a negative impact on a child’s development and wellbeing. The COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness) national initiative develops information for parents, their partners, carers, family and friends in support of these children. This information complements online training courses developed by COPMI for professionals to support families either individually or through community services and programs
From the COPMI website for young carers; If you have a parent with a mental illness… Check the youTube messages ( http://www.copmi.net.au/) about mental illness and what you can do to help your parents and yourself. Know that… 1.You are not alone – there are other young people who have a parent with a mental illness. 2. You didn’t cause your parent’s illness - and it’s not up to you to make them better. 3. Mental illness is just like a physical illness – anyone can have one. 4. It’s good to find out about your parents illness - and it’s ok to ask questions. I 5.t’s ok to talk about how you feel. Don’t push it aside. It’s good to have someone to talk with – make sure it’s someone you can trust. 6. It’s good to have someone to talk with – make sure it’s someone you can trust. 7.Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed about mental illness. 8. It’s ok to have feelings and be angry, frustrated or upset. 9.It’s good to take time out to do something you enjoy. It’s not selfish. 10.You have a right to feel safe. Make a lis t of people you can call.
Book Review; Coming Home
Gemma doesn’t understand why her father doesn’t want to play with her anymore. All he does is sit in the garden – he seems sad all the time. Gemma’s father suffers from a depressive illness – we aren’t told why, so it could be for a number of reasons – from a specific event, a chemical imbalance in the brain or even due to the onset of winter. The story follows Gemma as she tries to understand her father’s illness, which occurs over time – signified in the story by the changing of the seasons. The story shows how a depressive illness affects members of the family, particularly children, who often find it more difficult to understand. Coming Home focuses on hope, as Gemma’s father recovers eventually. The illustrations mirror the journey Gemma’s father endures, beginning with black and white endpapers of weeds and closing with the final endpapers of a garden in flower, bursting with colour.
Coming Home is suitable to be shared with upper primary students in years 5 and 6 and also useful for secondary students in years 7-10 studying PDHPE.
http://www.wombatbooks.com.au/cominghome.html For teaching notes http://www.wombatbooks.com.au/teachingnotescominghome.pdf
7
School-Link News
What’s happening in our area?
The Black Dog Institute is a world-leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. The Institute combines expertise in clinical management with cutting edge research to develop new and more effective strategies for people living with mood disorders. It delivers a range of education programs on mood disorders, wellbeing and resilience which are delivered by a Black Dog Institute presenter who has a personal experience of a mood disorder or of caring for a loved one. Get in touch with Black Dog if you would like to book a presentation in your community Phone: 02 9382 8515 www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
Breaking Down Depression & Building Resilience
For: General audiences, with or without a mood disorder. Overview: 60 minute presentation. Delivered by a presenter with personal experience of a mood disorder or of caring for a loved one.
Presentation covers:
Mood disorders and their causes
Signs / symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder
When and where to seek help
Practical strategies for offering support and communicating with
someone you are worried about
Strategies for building personal resilience
Navigating Teenage Depression
For: Parents, teachers, and people working with young people Overview: A 60 minute presentation delivered by a trained presenter who experienced a mood disorder as a young person or has cared for a young person with a mood disorder. The presentation covers:
8
School-Link News
What’s happening in our area?
Presentation covers:
The pressures faced by teenagers today
Signs / symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder in young
people
Identification of early warning signs
When and where to seek help
Practical strategies for offering support and communicating with a
young person you are worried about
Strategies for building resilience
INSIGHT
For: Teenagers Overview: A 50 minute presentation. Delivered by a presenter who has a personal experience of a mood disorder as a young person.
Presentation covers:
The pressures faced by teenagers today
Signs and symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder in young
people
Identification of early warning signs
When and where to seek help
Practical strategies for offering support and communicating with a
friend
Strategies for building resilience
Effectiveness of Our Programs Evaluation is an important component of all Black Dog Institute education programs. Evaluation results linked to the delivery of the programs highlighted in this email have been overwhelmingly and consistently positive. More than 90% of participants have indicated that:
Their knowledge of mood disorders and resilience had increased
They would feel more confident seeking help
They feel more confident offering support to someone who they think is experiencing a mood
disorder
The presentation was of excellent quality in regards to content and delivery
The presentation had made them more aware of resilience and wellbeing strategies
The Black Dog Institute
Hospital Road, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick NSW 2031 Phone: 02 9382 8515 Fax: 02 9382 8207 www.blackdoginstitute.org.au | [email protected]
9
School-Link News
What’s happening in our area?
10
School-Link News
What’s happening in our area?
11
School-Link News
What’s happening in our area?
12
School-Link News
Resources & Training
FAMILY FOCUS: This DVD is for parents with depression and/or anxiety and focuses on talking to their children about these illnesses. This has been proven to build child resilience to developing problems of their own, and strengthening the family unit. It is available from COPMI, The Children of Parents with Mental Illness, www.copmi.net.au
Sensory Overload in Autism www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGKCtp9Gaxc
In this insightful video clip, “Brandon” who identifies with having ASD, gives a compelling firsthand account of the experience of sensory overload—highly recommended _______________________________________________________________________________________________
New program addresses links between language disorders and juvenile offenders www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-20/language-schoollaunched- in-juvenile-detention-centre/4530572
13
School-Link News
Resources & Training
Calmer classrooms A guide to working with traumatised children Calmer Classrooms is a resource for working with students in the Classroom, following last Term’s information regarding children and young people who have experienced trauma, produced by the Victorian Govt.
Available from; http://www.ccyp.vic.gov.au/childsafetycommissioner/downloads/calmer_classrooms.pdf Includes; Section 1- Experiencing abuse and neglect often leads to trauma and disturbed attachment Section 2-The impact of abuse and neglect on learning Section 3- Calmer classrooms-relationship-based practices
Making SPACE for learning Trauma Informed Practice in Schools Available from; www.childhood.org.au Section1; Understanding Trauma in children & young people Section 2: Responding to traumatised children & young at school
14
School-Link News
Training & Seminars
From the New South Wales Institute of Psychiatry(NSWIOP)………….
13 Nov - Positive Psychology: Strengths Based Assesssment, NSWIOP.This half-day
workshop will focus on strengths-based interventions as well as assessment from a Positive
Psychology perspective. Signature strengths research will be examined in some detail and
participants will have an opportunity to explore practical ways to build strengths in themselves and
others in various contexts. There will be an opportunity to explore ways to introduce strengths-
based principles and techniques into current work practices. Case examples will be explored using
Positive Psychology strategies which are consistent with and easily combined with existing
approaches and strategies.
13 Nov - Positive Psychology and Mindfulness, NSWIOP
This half-day workshop explores mindfulness techniques within a Positive Psychology framework.
A range of specific mindfulness exercises will be used which are appropriate for various contexts
including counselling, teaching, mentoring or coaching. The links between mindfulness and other
strategies related to positive psychology will be made clear by exploring relationships with
psychological factors such as attention, engagement, flow and savouring. Reference will also be
made to other mindfulness based therapies such as mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR)
and mindfulness based cognitive therapy.
For more information ph; 08403833, or [email protected]
15
School-Link News
Training & Seminars
DENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER’: Subtypes, Assessment and Intervention Presented
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference
When? 28th April, 2014, Orange. Who? Teachers, SLOs, youth workers, School Counsellors, Clinicians
Working together to identify mental health problems, access
services, provide interventions, and support young people with
mental health issues in our schools.
More information coming soon!! Contact [email protected], ph; 63608000
16
School-Link News
Training & Seminars
