HEALTH & WELLBEING // SCHOOLTV
Schools and families seek strategies to manage stress during uncertain times: SchoolTV DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, THE WORLD WE NOW LIVE IN IS A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE. OUR CONNECTIVITY TO THE DIGITAL WORLD MEANS THAT WE ARE CONSTANTLY BEING REMINDED OF THE CHALLENGES WE FACE VIA NUMEROUS MEDIA CHANNELS, EXPOSING US TO A BARRAGE OF MESSAGES THAT CAN LEAVE US FEELING OVERWHELMED. AS A RESULT, MANY CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS ARE REPORTING HIGHER LEVELS OF STRESS AND ANXIETY. THE WELLBEING OF ALL STUDENTS REMAINS A KEY PRIORITY, WITH SCHOOLTV CONTINUING TO HELP SCHOOLS WITH SUPPORTING PARENTS TO RAISE HAPPY, RESILIENT YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH THESE CHALLENGING TIMES.
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It is up to mental health and wellbeing providers, parents and schools to keep the health and wellbeing of young people in focus.
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The blueprint for parenting and supporting young people is no longer fit for purpose in raising kids as citizens of tomorrow. Unfortunately, our brains have not evolved fast enough to adapt to this digital landscape. The combination of constant access to information and having little control over the situations presented, can be stressful and overwhelming not only for educators, parents and carers, but children alike. If left untreated or unmanaged, constant stress and anxiety can lead to a number of behavioural issues or health consequences. Founder and Director of SchoolTV, James Wilson tells Education Matters that the SchoolTV online resource was developed in partnership with child and adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, to address key issues relating to youth wellbeing. “Caring for the mental health and wellbeing of our children, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic is critical. We know that proper support can improve long-term outcomes and can help children achieve their full potential” says Wilson The recent launch of the National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy shines a light on key focus areas such as family-community
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and educational settings which form part of the important protective factors that support mental health and wellbeing for young people. SchoolTV shares the view that greater levels of support must be deployed urgently to manage the rapidly escalating youth mental health and wellbeing issues being experienced across all communities. “Our young people are paying a heavy emotional and developmental price as COVID perseveres. Emergency interventions to protect them have skyrocketed over the past 12 months. Specialists and youth psychologists are in high demand. Wait times are already up to one year, or longer, for parents in regional areas seeking help,” Wilson says Over 600 schools across the country now have access to this comprehensive digital wellbeing resource, created to support parents and distributed through their trusted school communities. This online platform provides parents with relevant, fact-based information and practical strategies that stimulate discussion, understanding and action across all dimensions of wellbeing. SchoolTV provides critical support for parents at a time where many students and families feel
