By ANEEKA SIMONIS
STRATEGIES to improve physical and mental health in schools and workplaces across the shire were flagged at council’s Health and Wellbeing Forum in Pakenham yesterday.
The second annual wellness forum at Outlook Community Centre tied in with Beyondblue’s National Roadshow tour which provided teachers the information they need to identify and help students suffering with mental illness.
“There was certainly concern from teachers wanting to find out how to connect with their kids and guide them through difficult times,” said Beyondblue’s Lucy Beardall.
Professor Jo Salmon from Deakin University addressed the forum with evidence-based research about the effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in early childhood, schools and workplaces.
Cardinia Shire Counil’s Communities that Care (CTC) facilitator Amy Moore said inspired schools might take on her advice to use standing desks as a way of stimulating students’ heads and bodies in the classroom along with other activity-based learning schemes.
Fellow guest speaker Dr Craig Hassed from Monash University encouraged focused learning rather than multitasking which can increase students’ stress and anxiety levels.
A larger mental health and well-being forum was held later in the evening at Beaconhills College.
