Supporting your child's wellbeing and mental health is a priority for their school. Schools play an important role in supporting students and families affected by global conflicts and humanitarian crises.
Ensuring the Australian Curriculum
intercultural understanding general capability is intentionally taught through learning area content helps create safe, inclusive learning environments and fosters social cohesion.
Students and families with direct connections (family and/or cultural ties) to an area where conflict and/or a humanitarian crisis is occurring are likely to
respond in many different ways (PDF, 175KB). A new or escalating conflict or crisis may also trigger mental health and wellbeing responses among people who have had similar experiences in the past, or whose countries are also experiencing unrest.
Schools are encouraged to partner with local organisations with relevant expertise and demonstrated cultural competency to support students and families.
The
Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre is a specialist state-wide service that works to ensure people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds receive culturally responsive mental health care and support.
The
Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT) supports people with refugee or refugee-like experiences. Anyone experiencing distress related to these events can call Witness to War, a multilingual telephone hotline on 1800 845 198 (free call) or the QPASTT support line on (07) 3391 6677.
Resources
The following resources may assist schools supporting students and families:
Helplines