Student Wellbeing at Leongatha Secondary College is a whole-school approach.
Parents, carers, staff and students are encouraged to seek assistance from the Wellbeing team via Compass, wellbeing@leonsec.vic.edu.au or 03 5667 2200.
Sandra Challis
Mental Health Practitioner (MHP)
Tues, Thurs and every second Wed
The Wellbeing team, in conjunction with all LSC staff, provide health and wellbeing support to all students.
Wellbeing support includes:
- Communication and collaboration with students, parents, teachers, and principal class to support positive outcomes
- Short term counselling support
- Risk assessment to determine if additional support is required - including safety plans.
- Referrals to community support services, such as mental health professionals, family services and allied health services
- Incident reporting
The Youth Access Clinic (see below) is open every Tues afternoon from 12.30-4pm.
13 11 14
24/7 crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services
1800 55 1800
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services for children and young people aged 5 to 25
1300 659 467
Suicide Call Back Service is a free nationwide service providing 24/7 phone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.
1300 22 4636
Free, anonymous Forums and confidential Support Services are open 24/7 for everyone in Australia.
1800 737 732
24/7 support for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic violence and abuse.
Year 7
Dale McCahon dmccahon@leonsec.vic.edu.au
Year 8
Ray Young
Year 9
Nenad Tarlac
Year 10
Andy Whelan awhelan@leonsec.vic.edu.au
Year 11 and Year 12 VCE
Lachlan Wright
Year 11 and Year 12 VM
Jess O'Neill
Disability and Inclusion Support
Kaylene Morter (Leading Teacher) kmorter@leonsec.vic.edu.au
Disability and Inclusion Support Coordinator
Julie Jacobs jjacobs@leonsec.vic.edu.au
Leongatha Youth Access Clinic
14 Koonwarra rd, Leongatha 3953
Leongatha Healthcare offers drop in appointments for young people aged 12-25 on Tuesdays during school term. Please contact the main clinic on 5662 2201 to make an appointment.
The access clinic is bulk billed. Please bring along your Medicare and/or Healthcare Card.
No appointment is necessary as this is a drop-in clinic.
Sandra Challis
Mental Health Practitioner
- Provides direct counselling support for students who are demonstrating mild to moderate mental health concerns.
- Provides direct counselling support to individual students who are identified as at-risk.
- Co-ordinates support (within LSC and/or external services) for students with critical and complex needs.
- Works with other health professionals to engage further support as required.
- Enhances mental health promotion and prevention activities within the school.
A signed parent consent form is required before engaging with the Mental Health Practitioner. Please consult with Sandra or a member of the Wellbeing team to organise this.
For questions or queries contact Sandra via: wellbeing@leonsec.vic.edu.au
- supports the health and wellbeing of secondary school students, with a focus on health promotion and primary prevention to improve student health, wellbeing and learning outcomes.
- works collaboratively with students, teachers, wellbeing staff, school leadership and school communities to build capability and improve health outcomes.
Contact me at: rcooke@leonsec.vic.edu.au
Colleen Asling
The Student Wellbeing Counsellor
- Provides short term counselling
- Provides students with support in difficult situations such as during times of grief, or when facing personal or emotional challenges
- Sources and refers students to appropriate services to meet their needs
- Provides informal support when required
- Works with teachers on behavioural support for the best management of individual students and their needs
Contact me at: casling@leonsec.vic.edu.au
Programs at LSC
- Student Wellbeing Day
- Man Cave
- Big Sister Experience
- The Resilience Project
- Teen Mental Health First Aid - Year 8 & 10
- Drug & Alcohol Education
- Vaping Education
- Sexual Health & Consent
- Koori Group
- Pride Group
- Red Frogs
- Blue Edge
- Quantum ABC
- Engagement Academy
- Pathways Program
- Foodie Tuesday
- Down to Earth
Nationally recognised days and events
The Wellbeing team also work with students, staff, and the broader community to promote nationally recognised days and events such as:
- R U OK Day
- Mental Health Week
- IDAHOBIT day
- Bullying No Way Day
- Dolly’s Dream
- 16 Days of Activism
Resources
Parents and carers
VACCA is Victoria’s peak voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
- Care Services
- Community Support
- Cultural Strengthening
- Education and Early Years
- Family Services
- Family Violence
- Housing and Homelessness
- Justice and Legal
- Protecting Aboriginal Children
- Stolen Generations
- Therapeutic Services
Koorie Education Coordinators (KEC)
Phone: 1800 338 663
Drugs, teenagers and parenting
Talking to young people about drugs
Gippsland Southern Health Service
5667 5506
Alcohol and drug counselling, residential and home based withdrawal service
Bass Coast Health
Alcohol and other drug counselling and non-residential withdrawal support.
Youth Substance Abuse Service
YSAS services are free for young people. YSAS has many different programs in a range of locations that can help young people and the people who support them.
SHARC Family Drug Help
Self Help Addiction Recovery Centre promotes self-help approaches
to recovery from severe alcohol and drug related issues.
Some reasons people call the Dolly's Dream Support Line
- I think my teen is being bullied
- I need help working with my kids’ school
- What do I do about sexting and nudes being sent?
- How do I get my teen to ask for help?
- I think my kids are chatting to strangers online
- I can’t get through to my kids
- How do I know if my child is depressed?
1800Respect
Confidential information, counselling and support service
1800RESPECT is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
The Orange Door
An easily accessible, community-based point of entry for children, young people and families needing support.
Child Protection Services
For children and young people whose safety is at risk.
Salvation Army
Services include: family violence support, housing support, emergency food relielf, financial counselling and men's behaviour change program.
Leongatha office: 5667 5200
Salvation Army
Services include: family violence support, housing support, emergency food relielf, financial counselling and men's behaviour change program.
Leongatha office 03 5662 6400
Food Bank
Events and gatherings
Health and wellbeing
Education and professional services
Switchboard
Switchboard provides peer-driven support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people, their families, allies and communities.
Transcend Australia
Transcend Australia provides programs and services for families, parents and caregivers located anywhere in Australia.
headspace Wonthaggi
5671 5900
headspace - information for parents and carers
Reach Out
A safe, online place to get information and support to help you and your teen feel better.
If the child or young person in your life needs specialised care, contact LRH Mental Health Triage on 1300 363 322.
South Gippsland Hospital Counselling and Social Work
Mental health counselling and social work (Stepped Care) services for adults and children.
Bass Coast Health
5671 3175
Counselling and social work.
Parents and carers mental health and wellbeing toolkit
Support if you’re concerned about your child’s mental health
Working with all types of families and support can be tailored to meet the diverse needs of you and your family members.
Parent support in Victoria
Essential services, programs and help throughout your parenting journey
Students
KYC facilitates and amplifies the voices, aspirations, and experiences of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people living in Victoria.
VAHS have established a free and confidential counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Yarning SafeNStrong (YSNS) is available to people and families who need to have a yarn with someone about their wellbeing.
YoDAA is Victoria’s Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice service for young people or someone concerned and looking for help.
Get help, get advice
1800 458 685
9-5pm : Mon-Fri
email: advice@yodaa.org.au
Self-help options
Support options
Drug facts and info
FAQ's
Tools & Resources
Positive Choices
Making choices
Know the facts about drugs
Helping a friend
E-cigarettes and teens: what you need to know
Gippsland Southern Health Service
5667 5506
Alcohol and drug counselling, residential and home based withdrawal service.
Bass Coast Health
Alcohol and other drug counselling and non-residential withdrawal support.
Youth Substance Abuse Service
YSAS services are free for young people. YSAS has many different programs in a range of locations that can help young people and the people who support them.
SHARC Family Drug Help
Supporting Australians with eating disorders & body image issues.
National Helpline 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST/AEDT) on 1800 33 4673.
Free support and resources to help navigate the challenges of bullying and its impacts, connect with services, and take steps towards creating a kinder, safer world.
0488 881 033
Bullying is never okay
Bullying can happen at home, at school or online. It is never okay and it is not a normal part of growing up. The Bully Stoppers online toolkit supports schools, parents and carers, and students to work together to help prevent and respond to bullying.
Respect
Confidential information, counselling and support service
1800RESPECT is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
The Orange Door
An easily accessible, community-based point of entry for children, young people and families needing support.
Child Protection Services
For children and young people whose safety is at risk.
Salvation Army
Services include: family violence support, housing support, emergency food relielf, financial counselling and men's behaviour change program.
Leongatha office: 5667 5200
Youthline
1800 262 376
If your betting is getting out of control or if you're worried about someone else help is available and it's free!
Call 1800 262 376 for advice and support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It's anonymous, confidential and free.
Queerspace
Queerspace is an LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing support service established in 2009 by LGBTIQ+ communities for LGBTIQ+ communities.
Queerspace Youth
(Ages 16-25) A space for queer young people to meet, make friends, work on projects and have fun.
Minus18
Minus18 is Australia's charity improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth
Switchboard
Switchboard provides peer-driven support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people, their families, allies and communities.
Rainbow door
Rainbow Door support is available to LGBTIQA+ people of all ages and identities with issues that may include family and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, suicidal thoughts, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health, and wellbeing.
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services for children and young people aged 5 to 25.
Lifeline
13 11 14
24/7 crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services.
ReachOut
A safe place to chat anonymously, get support, and feel better.
headspace Wonthaggi
5671 5900
headspace - information for parents and carers
Provides free, confidential services for young people aged 12 to 25 years.
LRH Mental Health Triage
If the child or young person in your life needs specialised care, contact LRH Mental Health Triage on 1300 363 322.
Sexual Health Victoria (SHV)
is an independent, all-choice, health promotion charity dedicated to education, advocacy and care.
6 tips for surviving Year 12Staff
FOR IMMEDIATE SUPPORT PLEASE CALL 1300 687 327 (AU). If you are at high risk, please call 000
Employee Wellbeing Support Services provides free and confidential advice to proactively support Victorian government school staff wellbeing. Converge is the department’s external provider of Employee Wellbeing Support Services.
Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Management in Schools
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