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Holsworthy High School – Mental Health Awareness

Interview with Ashleigh Fenech, Holsworthy High School Teacher Transcript.


(Conducted Thursday 26th March, 2020).

K: How would you describe the mental health awareness culture at your school?
A: I think it is ok, or about on par with other schools I have taught at. We definitely teach
about it, in our wellbeing and PDHPE lessons. We also try to offer support to our kids when
we see a problem. But, we’re more reactive. So we help after a situation comes up. We
could probably do more to raise awareness or try to prevent issues, if that makes sense.

K: What age group do you feel would need the most support with their mental health?
Why?
A: I think everyone is different, and different ages have different mental health, or emotional
health issues. I often worry most about my seniors. Year 12 especially is very tough. There
is a big focus on their work, their results and their future. Maybe too much of a focus. We
offer some support via mentoring with a teacher, but it lacks structure and at times
meaningfulness.

K: What gender do you feel would need the most support with their mental health?
Why?
A: Males, the girls are much better at coming forward and accessing support. They’re more
open to seeing the counsellor and/or a teacher and usually have a more solid support
network of friends that they communicate with. Our male students rarely come to us for
support, we often seek them out and it’s usually after an issue or conflict. They rarely see the
counsellor and don’t talk to their friends.

K: What do you believe is the main cause of feelings of stress, anxiety and depression
in youth at your school?
A: It’s definitely their relationships and interactions with peers. They’re so connected all the
time now, even after they leave school for the day they’re interacting on social media or via
text. They don’t get a break. It also gives them the opportunity to feel like they can harass
each other without consequence, they say hurtful things or upload pictures of each other.
Again, we try to educate as a preventative and then take reactive measures when a situation
arises, but I don’t feel like we’re helping them enough.

K: Are there particular periods of time throughout the year that are worse than
others?
A: Exam time is more stressful, the teachers are putting the kids under the pump to be up to
sratch, because we’re under pressure for her to prepare well. We’re stressed about 3-4
exams, one for each grade we teach, they’re worried about 8 exams or more. It’s a lot of
pressure.
K: How do you think this could be overcome?
A: How nice would it be to have no more examinations? . That isn’t a reality though. Im not
sure, maybe staggering the exam period, but that makes it difficult for us in regards to
reporting. I know that isn’t really an answer. I’m sorry.

K: What does Holsworthy High School currently have in place to support the mental
health of students aged 15+?
A: We have our wellbeing lessons once a fortnight we also offer counsellors and external
programs when an issue arises. We also have peer support for year 7 students and student
teacher mentoring for year 12. The year advisors are also a good support for these kind of
issues

K: Do you feel the support currently given is enough to support the mental health
needs of your students? Why/Why not?
A: No, it often feels reactive, and definitely doesn’t feel sufficient. I guess if we had less
issues then it would feel like we are doing enough. We’re so overloaded with curriculum
content and paperwork, and whilst many of us are involved with the kids in a welfare
capacity, it’s not making a big difference

K: Where/who can students go to if they experience stress, anxiety or depression at


school? (are there outside of school programs, doctors etc aligned specifically with
your school?)
A: Their first step is to see a teacher, or preferably their year advisor. From there we discuss
with the deputy or head teacher of wellbeing if necessary, if not a referral to the ciunsellor is
often done. If they decline a referral to the counsellor we often work with the Head of
Wellbeing to offer an external support to the student, such as Reconnect or Head Space.

K: What factors do you think would prevent implementing a specific program for
mental health awareness, particularly stress, anxiety and depression in your school?
A: I think the biggest thing is time. If teachers are expected to implement the program, some
may be reluctant as they’re already feeling overwhelmed with their day to day teaching work.
So I think if we had more time to get our work done, and could run a mental health program
most of us would. So really, that means less classes to teach to give us the chance to
participate effectively in a mental health program.

K: Do you have any further insight or comments on this matter?


A: Uhh, no. I don’t think so. Thanks
K: Thank you so much for your time and assisting me with my project.
A: You’re welcome.

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