{"id":43941,"date":"2026-02-20T14:14:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T03:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mlc\/?post_type=article&p=43941"},"modified":"2026-02-20T14:14:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T03:14:23","slug":"from-the-deputy-head-of-senior-school-wellbeing-27","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mlc\/article\/from-the-deputy-head-of-senior-school-wellbeing-27\/","title":{"rendered":"From the Deputy Head of Senior School \u2013 Wellbeing"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Supporting the Mental Health of our Young People<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adolescence is a time of significant change. Young people are navigating academic expectations, friendships, identity development, and an increasingly complex digital world, all while their brains are still developing.<\/p>\n

While most young people are resilient, challenges are not uncommon and are a normal part of growing up, which is why supportive relationships at home\u00a0and parental support plays a critical protective role in the mental health of young people.<\/p>\n

The good news is that parents do not need to be experts to make a meaningful difference. Everyday relationships, conversations, and boundaries matter.<\/p>\n

One of the most important things parents can offer is connection<\/strong>. Being present, listening without judgement, and taking emotions seriously helps young people feel safe to talk. You don\u2019t need to solve every problem, often, feeling heard is what matters most.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also helpful to normalise emotions<\/strong>. Stress, worry, and disappointment are part of life. When young people understand that struggling doesn\u2019t mean they are failing, they are more likely to seek help early.<\/p>\n

Keep an eye on changes over time<\/strong>, such as withdrawal, sleep difficulties, irritability, or loss of interest in usual activities. These can be signs a young person may need extra support.<\/p>\n

Healthy routines – sleep, physical activity, downtime, and balanced digital use, provide stability during busy and uncertain times.<\/p>\n

Most importantly, remind your child that they are not alone<\/strong>. Encourage help\u2011seeking when needed and partner with the school if concerns arise. Early support makes a difference.<\/p>\n

The Black Dog Institute<\/strong> is offering free mental health webinars for parents and carers\u00a0\u2018Empowering Parents and Carers to Support Teen Mental Health.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Delivered by an expert clinician, these webinars will explore:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Understanding mental health in adolescence,<\/strong>\u00a0including insights from the Future Proofing Study<\/p>\n