Sue is one of our Counsellors and a Northern Rivers Project Officer. Here is her story from her time in Northern Rivers.
We have spent the last 5 weeks (since 24 July) delivering Mustering Growth in the Northern Rivers.
The schools we visited were Emmanuel Anglican College in Ballina, working with 150 grade 5 & 6 students.
Maclean public school working with 78 grade 5 & 6 students.
Palmers Island public school working with their grade 3/4/5 & 6 students
Harwood Island public school working with their grade 3/4/5 & 6 students.
We have covered great distances and received warm welcomes from students and teachers alike. The students learnt about mindfulness skills to use when they needed support and how to manage big emotions, how to use nature to feel well and learn breathing and focusing techniques. Students from schools have a wellbeing talk every Wednesday, they do mindfulness exercises in class and daily affirmations. Most schools particularly enjoyed the Nature Journaling and the Helpful and Unhelpful thoughts activities.
We are now in the Lismore area and working with schools wanting wellbeing supports for their students affected by natural disasters.
To learn more about the Mental Health & Wellness program, check out: https://www.ruralaid.org.au/counsellors/
To donate to help fund this project and help rural communities, click here: https://www.ruralaid.org.au/donate
Story and Photos by Sue Jensen
