How Family Life SHINE Works

 

Family Life specialist staff work with whole classes in schools helping children to develop strategies for coping with stressful situations and improve their self-confidence.

 

Children who display early signs of having a mental health problem, such as anxiety, depression or a conduct disorder receive specialist help at school and with their families.

 

The Family Life SHINE Project incorporates aspects of the 'FRIENDS For Life' program, a school-based anxiety prevention program.

 

In 2008 to 2010 Family Life SHINE Project also:

 

  • Provided specialist groups for boys displaying aggression and violence
  • Provided specialist groups for children who had experienced violence prior to moving to a women's refuge
  • Ran programs and support for children whose parents have a mental illness
  • Provided a specialist group for girls displaying self-harming behaviour
  • Provided education and information activities to promote mental health awareness through mental health forums and exhibitions, community festivals, and parent information evenings
  • Provided linkages for indigenous communities to access mental health support services