Students Attend Zero2Hero Conference

Santa Maria College Mental Health Ambassadors recently attended the In Your Head Youth Mental Health Conference run by zero2hero.

We asked Wellbeing Captain Karin Boulton to tell us about the conference.

We heard hearing from keynote speakers on topics of anxiety, resilience, and stress. We also participated in some engaging breakout sessions, including how to maintain a healthy diet to maintain energy throughout the day. We enjoyed a dance workshop and learnt about body image and how to view ourselves and others in a more positive way. 

Attending this forum was beneficial for the other ambassadors and me because it was specifically targeted at young people. The information was presented in a clear and engaging way, which made it easy for us to pick up on the key points and remember them. I also believe to some extent, there is still a slight stigma attached to discussions around mental health and wellbeing. This forum provided a safe, inviting space for these discussions, which I think is really important.

One of the takeaways from the forum was the importance of looking after your body to ensure you are feeling your best. When we feel good within ourselves, we can be better people, and it’s easier for us to help others. I learnt that it’s good to get up every now and then and take a break from whatever you’re doing to re-stimulate the brain and come back to focussed and present. This can be as simple as just standing up and doing some stretches on the spot or singing a song, or if you have more time, doing a fun physical activity such as dancing. I also learned the importance of protein in every meal of the day to ensure you have sustained energy throughout the day. 

I would like to implement what we learned during the conference here at Santa Maria College by having discussions with the Mental Health Ambassadors, teachers, and psychologists about some practical ways of educating the students about some simple steps they can take at school to improve their wellbeing. For example, we could have time once a day where everyone gets up and does one of the re-focusing exercises for two minutes, or we could take ten slow deep breaths in Homeroom on Mondays to start off the week feeling relaxed and calm. 

It was a fantastic opportunity, and we were lucky to participate. I know everyone who attended gained something from it. 

zero2hero is a mental health charity dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of young people and preventing suicide in Australia. Through workshops and programs developed for schools, with an emphasis on prevention and early intervention.