From the College Counsellors

Supporting Teenagers Navigating the Pandemic

The last year has been incredibly stressful with the coronavirus pandemic and the challenges of remote learning. Most individuals, especially parents, have felt overwhelmed and frustrated throughout the pandemic, which is completely understandable as the nation goes through unpredictable times. It has also been challenging for students not to see their friends and engage in face-to-face learning. 

We felt it would be helpful to share some resources and tips around supporting your daughter during these unpredictable times.

How do I support my daughter during lockdown?

• Talk with them about what is going on in the world and be as open as you can be. Let them know that it is okay to be angry, frustrated or scared. 
• Allow them to be curious and ask questions about the pandemic. You don’t need to know all the answers, however talking through these issues and providing reassurance can help them feel calmer.
• Reassure them that we will not be in lockdown forever and it will pass. Recognise how difficult it is at the moment.
• Try and set time to engage in meaningful activities with your daughter. It might be taking the dog for a walk in the afternoon or watching TV together after a school and work day. 
• Regular breaks and time to connect with friends is especially important for teenagers. Maybe your daughter can schedule a weekly group chat with friends or video call a friend so they can do some cooking/baking (together). 
• Try and keep a routine to structure the day. This may include getting up at a certain time or ensuring that your daughter get dressed and out of bed to engage in school work.

Support services are still accessible and we encourage you to get in touch if you need support or help accessing further support. There is a mixture of online, face to face and telephone supports available.

• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
• Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
• Headspace 1800 650 890

If you would like to discuss the above or have any concerns about your daughter, please feel free to contact us – Louise Scuderi via louise.scuderi@syd.catholic.edu.au or Monica Rogenmoser via monica.rogenmoser@syd.catholic.edu.au or phone (02) 9816 2041 / 0435 659 694