Support students at risk of harm Presenters: Anna Noel & Yen Hsiao Lu

Learning Objectives Working to make school safe and supportive learning environment. Extending students’ capacity for resilience. Taking action to prevent students being harm at school. Reporting any suspicion you have that a students has been harmed or may be at a risk

Be A Supportive Teacher Students are likely to seek help from teachers whom they and respect (Cahill & freeman, 2007) Such as following: Smiling at students Greeting them. Talking to them. Taking an interest in them. Showing we are proud of the student’s effort.

Managing your own behaviour NEVER harm a student, either physically, psychologically or emotionally NEVER make fun of a student, put them down or discriminate against them because of their race or religion NEVER touch a student in a sexual way, or engage in any other inappropriate sexual activity NEVER do anything that would make students think you are doing something sexual to a student.

Build Supportive learning environment settings foster caring relationships by encouraging tolerance and by trying to prevent bullying, racism, stigma or harassment. taking an interest in each child as an individual.eg, smile, know name, say hello Offer opportunities to participate in their family, school, centre or community. develop a feeling of connection and belonging

Resilience – Don't let things get you down whatever bad times you go through you can always bounce back again and be yourself.

To help Kids to be more resilient Positive self–talk. Set realistic goals, take small steps and build on success.  Make good choices.  Be a positive person. Compliment others and they will compliment you.  Make friends and work at being a good friend. Join in – hang out with positive people

To help Kids to be more resilient Say "I can't do this ……..yet!"  Exercise, play sport, learn skills, be active.  Accept that you will make mistakes Get involved in pleasant things like art, music, drama.  Give yourself time to think!  Have a go at new things, if they are safe of course!

If your friend is having a hard time Keep asking your friend to do things with you.  Ask your friend to do active things too. Most people feel stronger (and more resilient) if they are fit and active. Encourage your friend to try.  Be a good friend and listener.  Keep her secrets, unless they are unsafe secrets; if they might be unsafe then tell your trusted adult. 

If your friend is having a hard time Tell the teacher if your friend is being bullied.  Say positive things if your friend is feeling sad.  Encourage your friend to get help.  Don't get upset if your friend wants to be alone. Tell her that you will be there for her if she wants to play or talk.

Activity 1 Test your resilience level Test Kids’ resilience level

What can I do for help?(GRIP) information Gather Gather and analyse information to decide who need support Look out for warning signs and risk factor

What are the warning signs? talking or writing about suicide, or even saying things that hint at suicide, eg. "I wish I was dead", "I'd be better off dead", or "No-one cares". collecting together things which could help them commit suicide acting in a reckless way to put themselves into danger not caring about how they look or what they wear not getting up and not going anywhere being angry all the time

What are the warning signs? not eating, not sleeping using alcohol or drugs giving away their stuff or making a will crying and not saying why not being interested in making plans not doing things they used to enjoy feeling out of control keeping themselves to themselves feeling hopeless and powerless.

What are we looking for? The stresses of life and mental illness are the main problems that can lead people to commit suicide.

Depression is an illness We lose hope that things can get better. We forget that life is always changing. We forget that there are always choices. We forget that what seems like a huge problem today can be made a whole lot smaller if we can talk about it and think about dealing with it one small step at a time.

Maybe a young person is stressed because : they are struggling with schoolwork they are looking for a job, or have lost a job they don't have friends and find it hard to make friends there is trouble in the family and they feel unhappy or unsafe at home they feel isolated or lonely and don't know who to talk to about their feelings

Maybe a young person is stressed because they have been, or are being, abused there has been some trauma in their lives they have had something happen to them that has changed their life, like a really bad accident or illness, and they cannot accept this change they are being bullied at school, on the internet or on their mobile phone.

What can I do for help?(GRIP) information Gather Gather and analyse information to decide who need support Look out for warning signs and risk factor Respond Discuss with the troubled person, principal and their parents If risk of violence, abuse or self-harm occurred, you have to tell others others Involve Involve others, linking the child with service such as counseling professional Maintain connection with the person and tracing the result. wellbeing Promote Continue to promote supportive learning environment. Build resilience Promote positive value, problems solve skills and life skills.

someone working at the school another student You must report, to the Principal, any harm to a student that is caused by: someone working at the school another student someone from the student’s family, a friend or a stranger the student self-harming.

If you see harm occurring at school: 1. Help the student who has been harmed, for example, by telling the students to move away get a staff member involved as soon as possible. 2. Tell the Principal straight away about what you have seen. 3. Write down what you saw and give the information to the Principal.

If you suspect a student has been harmed at school or outside of school: 1. Tell the Principal straight away about what you suspect. 2. Write down what you suspect and give the information to the Principal.

4. Tell the Principal straight away about what the student told you. If a student tells you that they have been harmed at school or outside of school: 1. Listen carefully. 2. Reassure the student that they have done the right thing by telling you. 3. Tell the student you must tell the Principal what they have told you. 4. Tell the Principal straight away about what the student told you. 5. Write down what the student told you and give the information to the Principal.

Activity 2