Lighthouse Youth Support

19/05/2023

If only our young people truly understood this. There is so much more to your self-worth, than how you do on an exam.
So. Much. More.

Dear Students,

Exams do not measure your intelligence, your worth or even your learning.
Exams simply measure your ability to digest and re-share information.
This information is often asked in trick-speak (to test the way your brain processes), in tense conditions and under pressure.
We can’t all do that.

Doesn’t mean you didn’t pay attention, study hard or try your very best.
Doesn’t mean your teachers have somehow failed you, nor have you failed them or let anyone down.

And it certainly doesn’t mean you are not amazing, wonderful humans with so much to offer this parched world.

Chances are you would be able to answer correctly on the same subjects in a relaxed environment with straight-shooting questions.

The exam system is flawed, but that’s okay, that’s life.
Life is flawed.
You tried your hardest and that has weight in this world of ours.
That matters.
Your time to shine will come.
And oh my, will you shine.

And no one will be able to measure that either.
What a wonderful thing.

Donna Ashworth
I Wish I Knew: https://amzn.to/3JVMJlZ

Art shared with permission from the WONDERFUL Lisa Aisato, from her amazing book ‘All the colours of life’ (link in comments, I adore this book)

08/05/2023

Another study showing the repercussions for young men when they don’t have a Father or a Father-figure involved in their lives.

https://tinyurl.com/3vf3456d

Men's poor relationship with their father is linked to increased muscle dysmorphia symptoms indirectly through vulnerable narcissism, according to new research published in Personality and Individual Differences. ...

20/02/2023

Some of the skills young people are learning from gaming, are worthwhile - in more ways than one.
https://tinyurl.com/425jf6wu

Parents worry about their kids spending too much time on computer games. What they don’t know is that it might lead to an exciting job.

11/10/2022

To all HSC students - my prayers are with you.

REMEMBER:
👍 YOU CANNOT control your results. YOU CAN control your effort. Only focus on what YOU CAN control.

👍 Simply do your best. No one can ask for anything more from you. And if they do, ignore them.

👍 You are worth more than a number on a piece of paper (your HSC results). Your value as a unique young person IS NOT representated by your marks.

👍 Although you've probably been led to believe it, the HSC is not everything. There are multiple pathways to where you want to go, the HSC is just one of them.

👍 Don't worry about what you will do after the HSC. Focus on now. Think about later, later.

👍 Do not be anxious. These are simply exams. They are not worth surrendering your mental health and wellbeing for. EVER!

👍 Back yourself. You have got this.

🙏 God has got your back. He already knows how you'll go. He knows the plans for your future. You just have to take the steps to get yourself there....leave the rest in His hands.

🙏 Breathe deeply. Pray. Give it your best. Repeat

God bless!
Michele x

05/10/2022

HSC can be a stressful time - for students and their family members.

Hopefully these tips might help, and remember, at the end of the day, results are not everything. Your child is worth more than numbers written on a piece of paper!

https://tinyurl.com/3nfjuma7

Parents can support their children through the coming weeks of year 12 exams by using four strategies.

27/09/2022

Prior to the pandemic, Jack was happy enough at school. “We had ups and downs … but I think Covid heightened all of our anxiety on a deep level – and remote schooling showed him it was possible to not go.”

The widely used term “school refusal” isn’t about wilful truancy but rather refers to the emotional distress that students (of any age) can associate with attending school. Some miss all or part of the school day, some might not go to school at all for extended periods. They usually spend the day at home with their parents’ knowledge, even though their parents, at least initially, try very hard to get them to go. In fact, many children desperately want to be able to go to school, but simply … can’t.

For parents and carers, the experience can be isolating, says Rogers. “There is also a level of shame because oftentimes people think this is a problem with parenting, they make judgments. Often parents themselves feel like they’ve failed.”

In June 2019 School Can’t had roughly 900 members. Now it has 6,595 members, with almost 300 pending membership requests. Members say they often feel like they have nowhere else to turn.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you have a child who is struggling with attending school, I can help. As someone who has both personal and professional experience in this area of concern, I understand how difficult school refusal and school anxiety can be.

I can work with both you and your child to find a solution so your son or daughter is able to thrive again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Michele x

https://tinyurl.com/4u5yy584

The incidence of children refusing to go to school is on the rise. The stress that families experience reflects an education system under pressure

25/08/2022

01/06/2022

$206.5 million allocated for youth mental health support. However, these funds are all being directed to only two organisations - HeadSpace and Orygen. If parents do not wish to use these services, are unable to make an appointment with these services, or don't have a branch near them, then the financial support means nothing. Why are only two organisations in the country being funded? Why are funds not provided to many services, or even to parents to access their choice of mental health support for their child? If the government truly want to help our kids, then more services should be supported.

The Morrison Government is continuing to support young Australians with severe and complex mental illness through a $206.5 million investment for additional treatment, services and support.

The funding will continue and expand the Early Psychosis Youth Services (EPYS) and the Youth Enhanced Services (YES), including the establishment of a two new EPYS hub sites in the ACT and TAS.

Mental health and su***de prevention are one of the highest priorities of the Morrison Government, with health portfolio expenditure in mental health and su***de prevention services reaching a record high of $6.5 billion in 2021-22.

This additional funding will ensure that young Australians in every state and territory can get the support and treatment they need.