Supporting wellbeing and staying safe
All children and young people have the right to feel safe. For tips on how to stay safe and happy and information about services that can support you, check out the following fact sheets:
It's also important for you to know how to look out for your wellbeing. One way to feel calm, happy and less stressed is to include activities into your daily routine that support wellbeing. For examples of what you could do, the
wellbeing activities for students booklet has suggested activities.
Looking out for your mental health
It is normal to feel stressed, sad, angry, worried or down sometimes—especially during times of uncertainty or following a traumatic event. There are many things that you can do to support your mental health, including:
But sometimes, even if you are doing everything you can to look after your mental health, you still don’t feel good, and you may want some extra help. It is important to know how and when to ask for help if you need some additional support.
Support at school
Teachers and other staff at your school care about your wellbeing and want you to be happy and well. If you are not feeling great, talk to a trusted teacher outside of class time or arrange a time to talk to your guidance officer. Your guidance officer is there to provide advice and support about whatever is troubling you and can also help you access mental health support outside of school to help you feel better.
GPs in State Schools Program
Health practitioners such as general practitioners (GPs) or nurse practitioners provide a free confidential service to students 1 day per week at school, you may make an appointment through student reception.
Health practitioners provide a range of support for students’ health and wellbeing concerns.
Check out the
list of the 50 schools participating in the GPs in State Schools Program to see if a free GP or nurse practitioner service is available at your school.
Wellbeing workforce
All students across the state have access to additional wellbeing professionals like guidance officers, psychologists, social workers or youth workers, check with your school wellbeing team or class teacher about how you can access this.
Share the Dignity in Queensland Schools initiative
The Department of Education has partnered with Share the Dignity to provide vending machines for sanitary (period) products to schools across the state. If you are unsure if your school has a vending machine or how to access this please talk to a trusted teacher or your guidance officer.
If your school does not have a vending machine—talking to a trusted teacher, the guidance officer, your deputy principal or student representative council about getting one is a great idea.
Support outside of school
Sometimes, you may wish to talk about how you are feeling with someone who you do not already know. Or you may feel more comfortable talking about what is going on in your life over the phone or online while you are at home.
There are many trusted organisations that are specifically available to support children and young people’s wellbeing and mental health. Whatever is going on in your life, you can talk to someone who cares and will help you to feel better. That might be your GP (local family doctor). Access the links below to find out more about each organisation and how to get in touch.
QLife is for LGBTIQ+ people and their loved ones wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships. While QLife does not provide specific advice or treatment for medical conditions, people who contact QLife may do so as a tool to support their mental health including but not limited to depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, gender dysphoria, and loneliness.
Bite Back is an online positive psychology program designed to improve the overall wellbeing and resilience of young Australians aged 13–16 years old.
1800RESPECT is the national counselling service who can talk to you about domestic, family and sexual violence. When you contact 1800RESPECT, you will talk to a trained counsellor who will listen and support you in what feels right for you and your situation.
Looking after yourself following a traumatic event
Looking after your own wellbeing and mental health is especially important following a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, pandemic or violent act. Traumatic events can be scary, confusing and can impact the way you act, think or feel. Some reactions are really common and get better over time but sometimes you may feel like you need some extra help to get things back on track. The following resources, along with the support options in and outside of school, may help you to look after yourself during and after a traumatic event.