MindMatters State News Western Australia
Western Australian Commissioner for Children and Young
People
The Commissioner for Children and Young People tabled her Report of the Inquiry into the mental
health and wellbeing of children and young people in Western Australia
in the WA Parliament on Thursday 5 May 2011.
On the same day, the Commissioner also released her Report to children,
young people and the community. This report is a summary of the findings
and recommendations of the Inquiry.
The Commissioner's third report arising from the Inquiry. Speaking out
about mental health - The views of children and young people, was released
on 24 May 2011 and highlights the perspectives of the children and young
people who contributed to the Inquiry.
Please contact the Commissioner's office on (08) 6213 2297 or mentalhealthinquiry@ccyp.wa.gov.au if you require
assistance downloading the reports.
Download the full reports
Children and
young people speak out about being acknowledged and involved in decisions
"Make children feel more important because even little
kids need to be listened to." child 11
In 2009 the Commissioner for Children and Young People WA
undertook research into children and young people's views on their wellbeing.1
The research revealed that acknowledgement and independence were two important
contributors to their wellbeing. Being listened to, having their views
respected and being involved in decisions affecting them were seen as important
aspects of acknowledgement and independence for children and young people.
http://www.ccyp.wa.gov.au/files/Policy%20Brief%20-%20Being%20acknowledged%20and%20involved%20in%20decisions.pdf
Level Two
Planning Workshop - Nedlands, 23 - 24 May
This Nedlands workshop
was wonderful! The Nedlands Yacht Club was a venue that afforded participants
beautiful views across the reflective waters of the Swan River. There were three school teams represented, all
showing a marvelous commitment to a whole school approach to mental health and
wellbeing. A mixture of staff attended reflecting the solid core-team
commitment to moving MindMatters forward in their schools.
Teams focused on a
variety of outcomes for their school plans including an emphasis on improving
rates of reported bullying, improving communication between teaching staff and
support service staff and establishing and strengthening a social and emotional
learning program across the school. Participants'
comments included:
- 'So many great tools to use.'
- 'Great environment and opportunity to
communicate and reflect'
One Life
Suicide
Prevention Strategy
The Western Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy is a call
to action. It aims to transform attitudes regarding suicide
and suicidal behaviour and represents a guide for policies and services to
better meet the needs of people at risk. The Strategy also charts a
longer term vision to promote individual mental health and wellbeing and the
need to enhance community capacity in approaches to suicide prevention.
Read more
As part of
the aim to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Western Australians,
the State Government has launched the Strategy to address the unacceptable high
suicide rate in Western Australia. Each year in Western Australia, over 200
people complete suicide and an even greater number harm themselves in suicide
attempts.
http://www.mcsp.org.au/one-life-strategy.html
Local
Community Coordinators will be engaged to support local communities in mapping
existing suicide prevention activities and determine the need for future
initiatives that will be documented in Community Action Plans.
Suicide prevention is everybody's business
The One Life resources page is a catalogue of materials
relating to suicide and self-harm prevention, sourced from local, national and
international sources. Many of these materials can be sourced at the Living is
for Everyone (LIFE) National Suicide Prevention Library, which can be accessed
at the http://www.livingisforeveryone.com.au/ website.
SHAPED Awards
SHAPED Awards are supported by the Department of Sport and
Recreation, the Department of Education, the Physical Activity Taskforce,
Police and Nurses Credit Society, the Association of Independent Schools WA and
the Catholic Education Office, They
recognise excellence and innovation in
Health and Physical Education / Activity and Dance programs and practices in
Western Australian school.
Read more There are fantastic prizes to be won including:
-
The two Western Australian Health and Physical
Activity Promoting Schools will receive a cheque for $875 and a
framed certificate.
-
The winning schools will also be profiled in the
media.
-
Schools announced as the most outstanding primary and
secondary nominations in each of the three categories will receive $250 and a
framed certificate. The program coordinators of the programs announced as the
most outstanding primary and secondary nominations in each of the three
categories will receive $200, a framed certificate and an ACHPER Polo Shirt.
Hurry! Nominations close by close of business 15th August 2011
For more information please visit www.achperwa.asn.au
Upcoming Professional Development
Western Australia
| July | 29 to 29 | Focus Module / Measuring our Progress | Professional Learning, Building B, Schools of Isolated and Distance Education, 164-194 Oxford Street, Leederville WA 6007
| | August | 4 to 5
| Student-led Youth Empowerment Process (YEP) Workshop | Albany Local Education Office, 85 Serpentine Rd, Albany | | 15 to16 | Level One Introductory Workshop | Guildford Landing
114 Swan St, Guildford | | September | 7 to 8
| Focus Module/Student Experiencing High Support Needs in Mental Health | Rydges Hotel
21 Davidson Street
Kalgoorlie | 13 to 13 | Focus Module / Transitions | Professional Learning Building B, Schools of Isolated and Distance Education, 164 -194 Oxford Steet, Leederville | | 15 to 16 | Level One Introductory Workshop | Hotel All Seasons, Cnr Lukis and McGregor Sts PORT HEDLAND | 21 to 22
| Level Two Planning Workshop | Guildford Landing
114 Swan St, Guildford
| 29 to 29
| Focus module / Leadership | Nedland Yacht Club, The Esplanade, Nedlands
| | October | 20 to 20
| Focus Module / Teaching and Learning for Engagement | Professional Learning Building B, Schools of Isolated and Distance Education, 164 -194 Oxford Steet, Leederville
| 24 to 25
| Level One Introductory Workshop
| Professional Learning Building B, Schools of Isolated and Distance Education, 164 - 194 Oxford Street, Leederville
| | November | 4 to 4
| Focus module / Leadership | Kimberley Education Regional Office, 10 Cochlan Street, Broome
| 10 to 11
| Level One Introductory Workshop | Ocean Centre Hotel, Cnr Foreshore Drive & Cathedral Avenue, Geraldton
| 11 to 11
| MindMatters
/ Support and Implementation Meeting | Ocean Centre Hotel, Cnr Foreshore Drive & Cathedral Avenue, Geraldton
| 29 to 30
| Level Two Planning Workshop | Nedlands Yacht Club, The Espanade, Nedlands
|
MindMatters Level One Introductory Workshop Level One Workshops provide an introduction to the MindMatters resource kit and the concept of a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing. This practical hands-on workshop provides background information and classroom ideas around the following topics: Bullying and Harassment, Resilience, Understanding Mental Health, CommunityMatters, Change: Loss and Grief, and Teaching and Learning.
MindMatters Level Two Planning Workshop Level Two Planning Workshops are directed at school core teams with experience of MindMatters. The core team develops a school action plan with a view to measuring progress in mental health and wellbeing. These workshops are available to school community core teams of four or more people - including a member of executive leadership. Preferably some of the team have attended Level One, the school is familiar with MindMatters and uses the resource.
The workshop topics include: leadership, student diversity, staff mental health and wellbeing, protective and risk factors, curriculum mapping, staff professional development, and communication.
The Level Two process is based on a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing with schools using the MindMatters Implementation Model, the MindMatters Planning Cycle and other planning tools. Schools that use the process and can demonstrate positive change will be offered recognition as a MindMatters school. Topics introduced in the Level Two Planning Workshop are extended through a range of Focus Modules.
Teaching and Learning for Engagement (1day) - for all school staff A one-day module reflecting on the needs of young people, the importance and nature of the pedagogies that engage them and the educational and mental health connections.
Students Experiencing High Support Needs in Mental Health (2 days) - for school counsellors, school support staff and health workers. A two-day session recognising the pivotal role of school support staff in leading, managing and working with others for school wide mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention for students with high support needs and how this can be supported.
The Whole Student Approach (1day) - for all school staff The module develops our understanding of how schools can work with students as individuals and provide successful experiences by recognising the richness they bring with them to a school setting.
Communities do Matter (1 day) - as a part of a series of seminars/workshops An overview of the positive connections schools can make with culture and community using the MindMatters community partnership process. Follow-up workshops and seminars are available for community members.
Leadership (1 day) - for school leaders and aspiring leaders Consider your leadership of mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention within the school through both a personal and a systems approach.
Staff Matters (2 days) - for all school staff A two-day module about supporting staff wellbeing within schools using social and emotional learning and engaging staff in mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention for students. To Register online please Click Here
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