WELCOME TO THE TRINITY COLLEGE WELLBEING HUB!

Parents, we know that you are the most influential person/s in your children’s lives and that taking the opportunity to play and interact with your child/ren allows them to learn social and communication skills in a safe environment. Armed with simple, in-expensive ideas where you can creative a space to talk about fears, concerns or celebrate the positive aspects of self-isolation or current circumstances, you are able to take control of your family’s health and safety.

As we navigate the online space together, Chappy Dave and I will be placing positive socialising and wellbeing support tools on Google Classroom and sending resources through Teachers for Primary Students. Resources especially focused on supporting our Trinity Parents will be feed onto the Wellbeing Hub which can be found on the Trinity College Gladstone website.

We invite you to peruse the selection of information as it becomes available and let us know if there is a particular format or activity that has been more useful to your family situation.

It can be overwhelming to be bombard with information as you know, in order to respect that, we will ‘slow trickle’ collaborative focused information, self-help tools and innovative activities that may assist in addressing specific concerns and offer simple ideas for brain breaks away from formal learning spaces.

Though Chappy Dave and I understand that nothing can replace in the one on one chaplaincy support we usually offer students who request that, we know that having relevant and innovative clips, tips, links and resources at ones fingertips can often settle some of the anxiety that your family may be feeling right now.

In a time where authentic connection is vital, we want to help you capitalise on being in close quarters with other family members by sharing ideas on how to open up meaningful conversations.

• This could mean assisting your family to make cards or write letters to connect with loved ones who are in isolation. If it is not possible to send these items during this time, focus on how the activity can allow your family members to voice feelings and explore empathy and concerns that they may have. This is a time where you will all benefit from opening up online opportunities to talk about those often avoided deeper subjects that you never have time to explore or have never been discussed in the past. After this is over you can decide the possibility of sending the items to loved ones.
• Try encouraging each family member to share five (5) outstanding facts about each other or an absent relative, discover your family heritage, talk about the unique cultures or traditions your family enjoy and how they have shaped your home life or holiday celebrations. Plan how you can capture or develop this further after the current restrictions are lifted.

Vulnerability, though uncomfortable is vital to developing and maintaining open communication and forming and maintaining meaningful relationships. This is never more important than when we’re looking at a family unit. It’s a way of getting to know ourselves and our family members in a very different way.  Exploring feelings of empathy, practicing culture and traditions in a family  context can assist siblings to develop stronger relationships and gain a better understanding of each other’s personality traits, strengths, beliefs and unique needs.

Open communication is particularly helpful during times when feelings are running high, in seasons of change or when one or more family members are feeling overwhelmed or anxious as it gives us a space to hurt and heal together.

One of the things that children often say to parents is “You’re not listening to me” this type of open discussion can give greater appreciation of other people’s thoughts and feelings within the family unit, can lead to fewer misunderstandings within households.

Thanks for your time and please know, we are taking time to pray specifically for families at this time, so if there is a particular need you would like us to pray for, please email the chaplains so we can believe with you for a positive outcome.

STAYING AT HOME

Check out the following services for resources or support while at home due to Coronavirus.

BeyondBlue 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au

headspace 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au

ReachOut au.reachout.com

SANE Australia 1800 187 263 or sane.org

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Lifeline 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au

Emotional health is a state of positive psychological functioning. It can be thought of as an extension of mental health; it’s the ‘optimal functioning’ end of the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that make up both our inner and outer worlds.

HEALTHY MIND

Mental health is ‘a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community’.

Positive psychology is based on the study of human flourishing, and an applied approach to optimal functioning. It focuses on the strengths and virtues that enables individuals, communities and organisations to thrive.

Positive psychology shifts the focus from ‘what’s the problem?’ to addressing ‘what’s going well?’

The Positive Psychology Centre uses the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within them and to enhance their experiences that they have.

The major aims of positive psychology are:

• rise to life challenges, make most of set backs and adversity
• engage and relate to other people
• find fulfillment in creativity and productivity
• look beyond oneself and help others to find lasting meaning, satisfaction, and wisdom.

Tips for a healthy headspace

• Download these tips for a healthy headspace (PDF 147KB) for more information.

Healthy families

Beyond Blue’s healthy families initiative is all about giving you the information, knowledge and confidence to support the young people in your life – whether you’re a parent, guardian, grandparent, uncle or auntie.

MoodGym

This is like an interactive self-help book which helps you to learn and practise skills which can help to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety. For more information visit MoodGym.

ReachOut

ReachOut provides practical tools and support to help young people get through everything from everyday issues to tough times.

Mental fitness

Good mental health is about living life in a satisfying way, coping with life’s challenges both big and small, managing the stress of school and work, and maintaining your own mental wellbeing. Visit mental fitness for further information.

Self care

Find out what kind of self care is right for you by taking this quiz.