DE – North Western Region
Parents wanting additional information regarding Department of Education policies can call: North Western Region on 1300 338 691.
Cyber-safety
Parents are encouraged to educate themselves about strategies to keep their children safe in the cyber environment. Please consider the following:
- Children should only access sites that are suitable for their age group, the majority of chat platforms are 13+
- Children should use devices in the presence of an adult – not alone in their bedrooms. Many online ‘gamers’ are in fact adults, not other children of your child’s age
- Screen time should end well in advance of bed-time so your child can relax into sleep when it is time
- Parents can reach out for help from the eSafetyCommissioner
Further information and resources for parents can be found in the links on the Cybersafety tab below.
To assist families, we have listed a number of Government Departments or Agency’s specialising in the support of children’s mental health.
Kids Helpline
Kids helpline is a free private helpline aimed at assisting Australians from 5 to 25 years old with their mental health and wellbeing. They provide assistance through phone, email or online counselling. They are a 24/7 service.
Phone: 1800 55 1800
Youth Beyond Blue
Youth Beyond Blue provides a 24/7 phone counselling service and an online chat option for youth to discuss their mental health and concerns.
Phone: 1300 22 4636
Headspace
Headspace supports young people 12 – 25, with mental health, physical health, drug and alcohol support, and educational and vocational support. They offer assistance through telehealth or through an online forum.
DE Student health and wellbeing
Support services, guidance and materials to make sure students are healthy and safe at your school.
Lifeline
Smiling Mind
A non-for-profit web and app-based meditation program developed by psychologists and educators to help bring mindfulness into your life. The Phone app for Smiling Mind is Free.
Raising Children
Raising Children website provides a range of information to parents to assist with the raising of children.
Safeminds
The Victorian Government has partnered with headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation to develop SAFEMinds: Schools And Families Enhancing Minds, a comprehensive learning and resource package that will enhance the capacity of school communities to effectively identify children and young people with early signs of mental health issues, offer school-based interventions and refer appropriately when needed.
Information available for schools and for families.
Butterfly Foundation
Butterfly Foundation for eating disorders offers a multitude of services and programs that provide support, treatment, prevention, early intervention, education and training.
Parenting Support
Cybersafety
ASD and Asperger’s – Support
Mental Health
Anxiety
- The Brave Program
An On-line cognitive behavior therapy program for anxious children and adolescents and their parents (13 week program).
Depression
- Mood Gym
A cognitive behavior therapy website teaches people to use ways of thinking which help prevent depression.
