‘What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.’ — Plutarch
October 10, 2025, is the World Health Organisation Mental Health Day.
The WHO defines mental health as:
“A state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It has intrinsic and instrumental value and is integral to our well-being.
At any one time, a diverse set of individual, family, community and structural factors may combine to protect or undermine mental health.”
Mental health can form the basis of emotional resilience, sound relationships and the ability to cope with life’s challenges.
As ISWA is an IB and Visible Wellbeing school (VWB), we are devoted to fostering mental health. Students with good mental wellbeing are curious about and committed to learning, tend to be more motivated and have a sound belief in themselves. They are better able to recognise and manage stress, have collaborative, congenial relationships and engage in a wide range of interests.
Their physical health, including ample sleep, robust, regular exercise and nutritious eating habits contribute to their vitality and robustness. These students routinely attend, are invested in their school communities and are able to draw upon the support of a network of trusted adults.
Of course, mental health exists on a continuum influenced by many environmental, emotional, biological and social factors. It is fluid and at any point along this continuum students face situations which test their capacity to problem solve and cope.
At these moments we ‘check in’ with them, reinforcing that help seeking is normal. We partner with students to identify and name emotions, discuss these in constructive ways and model tools to regulate them. We are curious and empathetic, rather than judgemental. In age and developmentally appropriate ways we build self-care toolkits together, highlight student strengths and discuss with them ways to establish meaningful goals and reinforce beneficial habits. Our aim is that our students relish being at school belonging to our inclusive, welcoming community.
Our commitment to mental health is exemplified in the VWB S.E.A.R.C.H. framework (strengths, emotional management, attention and awareness, relationships, coping, habits and goals) all aspects of which are explicitly woven into lessons and activities, whilst being implicitly evident in every daily encounter. These are innumerable examples of the ways we provide wrap around care for students so they will thrive.
Complementing all that occurs at ISWA, families are informed about agencies such as those listed below. Family GPs can assess a child’s mental health, refer to a specialist and/or help with a mental health care plan.
ü Reach Out to Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 — Free, 24/7 counselling for children and young people aged 5–25. They also offer resources, webchat and email support.
- Raising Children Network – government funded with wide ranging resources and advice for families
- Headspace for Teens (12-25) – in person and online services
- Smiling Mind – mindfulness and meditation app for adults, teens and children (free)
- Beyond Blue – advice, tools and research about mental health
- CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) – community and in-patient services for children under 18 years
This October, Mental Health Australia’s theme for World Mental Health Day is Connect with your community. Mental Health Australia is providing daily tips throughout the month for good mental health.
We are ALL worthy of peace and happiness. As A. A. Milne is quoted as saying:
‘You are braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think’.
Here is a link to additional resources –
Positive parent child relationships from Emerging Minds
Have a great holiday,
Christine Rowlands
ISWA Counsellor
