Valentines Colouring In Competition
Tips for Coping with Coronavirus Anxiety - APS
As the number of coronavirus cases rise across Australia, the level of anxiety within the community is increasing. Feelings of worry and unease can be expected following a stressful event, such as the recent declaration of a global pandemic, however, it is important that we learn to manage our stress before it turns to more severe anxiety and panic. This information sheet from APS outlines some useful strategies which can help both adults and children cope with the stress or anxiety experienced as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Back to School Tips - APA
Dealing with the back-to-school blues?
Whether it’s returning from a long summer vacation or going to a new school, back to school time can be overwhelming for many parents, children and teens. The transition from summer to school time can test families’ coping skills in dealing with adjustments such as new teachers and new classrooms as well as managing hectic school and work schedules. Often, it’s the fear of the unknown — new classmates, teachers, or the thought of having hard classes— that is most stressful for children, around the beginning of school.
“The end of summer and the beginning of a new school year can be a stressful time for parents and children,” says psychologist Lynn Bufka, PhD. “While trying to manage work and the household, parents can sometimes overlook their children’s feelings of nervousness or anxiety as school begins. Working with your children to build resilience and manage their emotions can be beneficial for the psychological health of the whole family.”
Fortunately, children are extremely capable of coping with change and parents can help them in the process by providing a setting that fosters resilience and encourages them to share and express their feelings about returning to school.
American Psychological Association offers the following back-to-school tips:
Restart your family’s school routine: A week or two before school starts, parents should try and get their children back into the school routine. This may mean they going to bed at a regular time and waking up early as they would do for school. Organizing backpacks, binders, lunchboxes and even cafeteria money will also help with the transition into the school routine and will help make the first morning go smoothly.
Get to know your neighbors: If your family is new to the neighborhood and your child will be starting at a new school, make an effort to get to know the other neighborhood children. Schedule play dates, or, for older children, find out where the neighborhood kids might go to safely hang out, like the community pool, recreation center or park.
Talk to your child: Asking children about their fears or worries about going back to school will help them share their burden. Inquire as to what they liked about their previous school or grade and see how those positives can be incorporated into their new experience. If your child expresses uncertainty about the new school year, arrange to walk through the building and visit your child’s locker or meet with a friend from the previous school year to help ease anxiety of the unknown and reconnect with classmates. After school starts, take time to listen to your children and discuss their day at school and any issues they may have.
Empathize with your children: Change can be difficult, but also exciting. Let your children know that you are aware of what they’re going through and that you will be there to help them with the process. Explain that while nerves are normal, not everything that is different is necessarily bad. It is important to encourage children to face their fears instead of falling into the trap of encouraging avoidance. Celebrate when they do something that made them nervous.
Get involved and ask for help: Parents and caregivers with knowledge of the school and the community will be better equipped to understand their child’s surroundings and the transition he or she is undergoing. To foster support, meet members of the community and school. If you feel that the stress of the school year is too much to handle, seek expert advice from a licensed psychologist who can help your family better manage and cope.
The full text of articles from APA Help Center may be reproduced and distributed for noncommercial purposes with credit given to the American Psychological Association. Any electronic reproductions must link to the original article on the APA Help Center.
Great Cycle Challenge
In Australia, 3 children die of cancer every week. Please sponsor our team and support our challenge to fight kids' cancer and save little lives!
This October, Team Evolve is taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer!
Because right now, cancer is the largest single killer of children from disease in Australia – over 600 children are diagnosed with cancer every year and sadly, 3 die every week.
Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.
And so we are riding and raising funds to support the Children's Medical Research Institute to continue their work into the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and finding a cure for childhood cancer.
Please support our challenge by making a donation through our fundraising page to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve.
Together, we can save little lives.
Thanks for your support.
Art Exhibition - Jane Lazic
We can’t believe that we have been open for just over two months! We are delighted to share the details of an upcoming art exhibition which is proudly supporting Men’s Mental Health WA.
Saturday 10th August 2019
Bubbles and Nibbles from 5pm, Opening Ceremony commences 6pm
Vasse Hall, Kalorup Road, Vasse WA 6280
Our own Psychologist Linda Judge will be speaking at this event. We look forward to seeing you there!
We are opening soon!!
We are excited to announce that we will be opening for services on Monday 27th May 2019.
We look forward to welcoming you to our warm and inviting clinic. Please don’t forget to visit your GP for a referral under a Mental Health Care Plan prior to scheduling your appointment.
Warmest regards
The Evolve Psychology Group Team
