Raise Mentoring Program
Raise offers one-to-one mentoring with trained volunteer mentors for middle school students. Mentors meet regularly with their mentee over several weeks, guiding them through topics such as building confidence, resilience, stress management, help-seeking, and strengthening school, family and peer connections. You can learn more about the program here https://raise.org.au/ or contact the Wellbeing Team to enquire.
ICAN Network Mentorship
I CAN supports autistic and neurodivergent students through group-mentoring sessions delivered by neurodivergent staff. The program promotes a positive neurodivergent identity, improves communication, teamwork, self-esteem and belonging, and supports mental wellbeing and school engagement. You can learn more about the program here https://icannetwork.online/high-schools/ or contact the Wellbeing Team to enquire.
Blue Edge – Victoria Police
Blue EDGE is designed to Educate, Develop, Grow and Empower young people using fitness and activity-based learning. Blue EDGE runs in partnership with Victoria Police and emergency services. It promotes positive behaviours and attitudes by instilling a positive mind set towards their future, combines fitness, life-skills workshops and mentoring in a small-group setting for middle school students. Over eight weekly sessions, students engage in physical activities and workshops covering wellbeing, safe decision-making, empathy, and community connection; helping build confidence, resilience, stronger peer and adult relationships, and a sense of inclusion and empowerment. For more information visit https://www.schools.vic.gov.au/blue-edge-educate-develop-grow-empower#program-description
Refugee Education Support Program (RESP)
The Refugee Education Support Program (RESP) is aimed at assisting schools to identify and implement strategies which have a positive impact on the achievement, engagement, and wellbeing outcomes of students from refugee backgrounds and their families. At Viewbank College, a group of Senior Students participated in the program to develop ideas of better understanding those students who come from refugee backgrounds. Some ideas include, a larger week-long Harmony Day, lessons directly taught within our Social and Emotional Pathways Program, and more cultural awareness.
NCASA (Northern Centre Against Sexual Assault)
Northern CASA (NCASA) provides a free therapeutic service to all members of the community aged 12 years and over who have experienced sexual assault, regardless of how long ago it happened. This includes non-offending family members and friends.
NCASA support people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.
Services include 24-hour crisis care for recent victims of sexual assault (17-years and over), counselling, group work, advocacy, community education, secondary consultation and training for professionals.
NCASA also provides incursions that align with our Respectful Relationships program. Trained professionals take our students through topics about sexual assault, consent and pornography. Students are broken up into groups based on gender. For more information, refer to this website: https://www.austin.org.au/northerncasa
Minus 18
Minus 18 are an organisation designed to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth. Their aim is to create an Australia where all young people are safe, empowered, and surrounded by people that support them. The College has hosted workshops run by experienced facilitators to empower young people – LGBTQIA+ and allies alike – to stand up to discrimination and support each other. Using a fun, engaging and informative approach, they equip classrooms and small groups with the language and knowledge needed to champion inclusivity. For further information, refer to this website: https://www.minus18.org.au/
Reach
Reach is an organisation where they invest in young facilitators to design and deliver transformative experiences for young people. They connect young people to create a sense of social belonging, have breakthrough conversations and build emotional resilience/ courage. Their workshops are 100% led by young people. Some topics we cover at The College are Respect – Explores the normalisation of disrespect and empowers students to choose words that create a positive impact.
Connection – Encourages young people to share who they are and what matters to them, fostering understanding and empathy.
Emergency Mental Health Support
Please note that School Wellbeing is NOT a crisis support service. If you have immediate concerns, please contact the appropriate service below:
- For any immediate safety concerns, contact 000
- For mental health triage services, you can contact The Austin CYMHS triage service. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for information, assessment and referral
Phone: 1300 859 789
Eat Up Victoria
Eat Up provides free school lunches to students who might otherwise come to school without adequate food. At Viewbank College Eat Up provides toasties, yoghurt, fruit and other snacks which helps ensure students have the energy and focus they need for learning, and supports their physical health, wellbeing, concentration, and school engagement.
Food Bank
Foodbank Victoria, in partnership with the Victorian Government, provides the School Breakfast Clubs Program to government schools across the state. At Viewbank College, breakfast items and snacks are offered to students identified as needing extra support, as well as to those who may have forgotten their lunch or who need a snack to help them get through the day.
Family Violence
| Information | Phone Number | Website | |
| The Orange Door | Support and services for people at risk, including for family and domestic violence or abuse, and for families needing extra support with the wellbeing and development of children. | 1800 319 355 | https://www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/ |
| Safe Steps | Support for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence | 1800 015 188 | www.safesteps.org.au |
| 1800RESPECT | Sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service (including information in 28 different languages | 1800 737 732 | www.1800respect.org.au |
| Are You Safe At Home? | An online domestic violence resource centre | www.areyousafeathome.org.au/ |
Local services and Helplines
| Information | Phone Number | |
| Local GP | Your local GP can provide you with additional support. | Varies by clinic |
| Banyule Youth Services | Banyule Youth Services offer information, activities, resources and support options for young people and their families, and also provide strategic and operational advice to the sector and other Council service units on issues that affect young people. | Greensborough (03) 9457 9855 |
| Headspace Counselling | Victorian Government secondary school students, including recent graduates, can access counselling services from headspace. During holidays, students can self-refer by calling their local centre. | Greensborough (03) 9433 7200 |
| eheadspace | Online and phone support for young people aged 12-25, their families, and friends. | 1800 650 890 |
| Kids Helpline | Online and phone counselling for young people aged 5-25. | 1800 551 800 |
| Lifeline | Crisis support and suicide prevention for all Australians. | 13 11 14 |
| Beyond Blue | Online and phone counselling for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, and their families. | 1300 224 636 |
| Head to Help | Digital mental health resources from Australian organisations. | 1800 595 212 |
| Suicide Call Back Service | Online, phone, and video counselling for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts. | 1300 659 467 |
| QLife | A national service that aims to keep LGBTQI communities supported and connected. | 1800 184 527 (3pm-midnight AEST) |
| Rainbow Door | A free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral. | 1800 729 367 (10am-5pm) |
| 13YARN | 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | 13 92 76 |
| Mensline | 24/7 counselling service for men | 1300 78 99 78 |