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November, 2013 In This Issue:

- Early Intervention Services Expand - Teens & Trauma - Preparing for High School - Diary Dates

Ph: 02 9416-9824 PO Box 556 Lindfield 2070 www.kyds.org.au

KYDS Update
David Citer, Manager, KYDS

Cross Cultural Perspectives: KYDS recently launched a new early intervention program helping families who are relatively new to Australia better manage conflicting cross cultural and intergenerational expectations for parents and children. Known as ESEAC (Emotional and Social Experiences within the Asian Community), the program brings together young people, parents and specialist facilitators. A variety of languages and cultures are supported with tailored, translated materials and bilingual personnel. Small groups work through a series of interactive activities, role plays and discussions. The objective of the program is to help parents better understand the opportunities available, and the many faces of success and achievement open to young people in Australia, and to reduce conflict and potentially over-bearing expectations for adults and young people alike. For information on program content, availability, costs and potential funding support, please contact Kym Carlson at KYDS on 9416 9824. Problematic Internet Use: Prestigious professional journal, Australasian Psychiatry recently published a report entitled Problematic internet use in childhood & youth: st evolution of a 21 century affliction, by Dr Philp Tam and Professor Gary Walter. Sage Publications has kindly given KYDS permission to post the article on our website: www.kyds.org.au. It makes for informative reading for anyone grappling with the question of how much internet is too much?

For many young people, this is the time of exams and plans -- a mixture of stress, relief, anxiety, and hope and freedom. To all of you facing the challenges life throws your way, we wish you the very best of luck in everything you set out to do. Anyone who is feeling stressed, anxious or uncertain is welcome to call us and arrange to meet with a counsellor for a free and confidential chat. If you, a family member or friend seems overwhelmed, reach out for help -- this is why organisations such as KYDS exist. Record Growth in Early Intervention Work: For many years, KYDS has run early intervention workshops in school and community settings. Funding for KYDS early intervention work has recently been boosted by generous donations from the Baxter Charitable Trust managed by Perpetual, the Novus Foundation, the Rotary Club of Wahroonga and Rotary International. This funding has enabled KYDS to offer a variety of programs to several school communities that would not otherwise be able to participate in our workshops. This term, our program facilitators will reach record numbers of young people, with around 2500 teenagers from some eleven schools across Northern Sydney benefitting from KYDS school programs. KYDS school programs are highly interactive, and deliver information, skills and resources teenagers can draw upon to lead safer, more productive, healthier and more positive lives.

KYDS was established in 2005, as an initiative of Lindfield Rotary Club, with the support of Ku-ring-gai Council. KYDS is a nonprofit organization.!

Supporting Young People: Teens and Trauma

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Kym Carlson: Assistant Manager Clinical Services / KYDS Psychologist

Australia is a land of natural extremes, and throughout our history we have faced threats of flood, fire, cyclone and drought. When disaster does strike, we have a proud track record of uniting as a community to rebuild homes and livelihoods. But we are sometimes less adept at understanding the mental impact of disasters, both on those at the heart of the crisis, and on people further afield. Teenagers can be deeply upset by local, national or international tragedies, or frightening events that affect their friends or communities similar to their own. In these circumstances, teenagers need both your support and adult perspective, to help them cope with the immediate aftermath, healing process, and traumatic events they will inevitably encounter in the future. Teenagers react to trauma in many of the same ways adults do. The world may suddenly seem dangerous and unsafe, or they may feel overwhelmed by strong emotions and may not understand how to cope with these feelings. Here are some ways you can open communication to help them understand what is happening:
1. Help your teenager talk about the event. Let them know it is normal to feel worried or upset, and that feelings of distress, anger or grief are a natural part of healing, and expressing emotions usually leads to feeling better. Try to listen carefully and understand what they are trying to communicate. 2. When you talk about the event, be honest and encourage them to be honest as well. Share clear, accurate information. Ask your teenager what they think happened, and what their friends are saying. If your teen has any misconceptions, this is a chance to correct their understanding or do some research together. If your teen is aware of upsetting details that are true, dont deny the facts -- instead, listen closely and talk with them about their fears. 3. Help your teenager gain perspective. Trauma can shake a persons belief in the safety of their world, and adolescents can feel particularly overwhelmed and anxious. Help them understand the facts surrounding the disaster (cause and effect is very important), but dont dwell heavily on gruesome details or anything unnecessary to their understanding. Where possible, point out positive outcomes (for example, lives that have been saved despite massive material losses, or that bush fire is a natural part of many Australian ecosystems, and essential to the survival of many plant and animal species). 4. Limit news and media access. At times of disaster, news networks go into over-drive, often featuring the most emotional or sensational stories they can report on. Limit the time spent watching news of the event event, and encourage comforting routines (reading a novel, playing sport, preparing dinner, walking the dog) as ways to cope. 5. Be patient, be available. Your teen may ask the same questions over and over again. They may withdraw, or prefer to talk with their friends, rather than you. They may be angry with their family, the people they blame for the event, or the world in general. Listen when they want to talk, and let them know you are there for them. 6. Encourage teens to take action. Feelings of helplessness can be greatly reduced by taking action in the face of disaster -- donating blood, helping raise funds or sort goods for relief efforts, or sending messages of sympathy and support to those effected are all positive, remedial actions, that will help others, and those feeling distressed. Usually, a teenagers reaction to a traumatic event does not last long. But sometimes fears can last and interfere with enjoyment of everyday life. Warning signs that this might be the case include: troubled sleep or frequent nightmares; fear of going to school, going outside, or being left alone; angry outbursts; excessive crying; excessive clinging; headaches or stomachaches; alcohol or drug abuse; changes in appetite; loss of interest in once-pleasurable activities; drop in school performance; isolation and withdrawal; needing to be around other people all the time. If your teenager experiences any of these symptoms for a prolonged period, seek expert help. School counsellors, your local GP, organisations such as LifeLine and KYDS can all provide advice and support.

KYDS provides free, confidential support & counselling for teenagers: www.kyds.org.au

Practical Advice for Parents: Preparing for High School

By Danni McClellan, KYDS Psychologist

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The move from primary to high school is full of excitement and new experiences for most, but it can also be challenging and worrying for some students. Helping your child prepare for high school and making them feel supported will reduce the risk of disengagement from school in the future. Here are ten quick tips for easing the transition.
1. Know that relationships will change. Your child will meet new people, make new friends, may feel lonely at times, and will need to re-establish their position within a peer group. They may also miss friends and teachers from primary school who have provided support, care and friendship in the past. 2. Understand the school routine will be very different. Your child will be exposed to new teaching and assessment styles, and will need to cope with a wide range of subjects taught by several different teachers. They will be moving about the school frequently, needing to be more responsible and organised with books and materials, learning a complex new timetable, and managing much of their own learning with a heavier homework and study load. 3. Be aware that new environments can be frightening. Your child will have to adjust to a new school site, get to class on time, and cope with different transport arrangements. 4. Become familiar with the school, well before the first day. Attend information / enrolment sessions and open days together. Take your child to public events held at the school (eg fetes and fundraisers, art exhibitions, performances). Review the school website, events calendar, annual report and newsletter. Keep an eye out for articles about the school in local media. 5. Understand policies and procedures. Take time to read through all the information provided on information days, and download policy guidelines and procedures. ! 6. Encourage responsibility and independence, early. By the end of primary school, children should be confident and competent to cross roads safely, pack their own bags, make a small purchase at the corner shop, keep track of their possessions, remember to hand in notes and to complete homework when it is due, know how to make a phone call, and who to seek help from if they are lost, hurt or in trouble. 7. Sort out, and practice, transport arrangements. Try out available options for getting to the new school, and work out a preferred way of getting to and from. Run through the new routine several times, and work out stand-by plans in the event of a problem such as train delays or buses that are too full to take on more passengers. Reinforce safety rules and behavior expectations. Let your child travel the route with a friend, and on their own. 8. Gather supplies. Purchase uniforms, back packs, stationery and other supplies, involving your child in decision making as much as possible. If your child has new equipment to get used to (such as a mobile phone, scientific calculator, laptop, I-pad, etc) ensure they understand how to use it, keep it charged, and look after it. 9. Maintain routines and friendships from the past, as much as possible. Adequate sleep, good food, exercise and relaxation time does wonders to alleviate stress. Encourage your child to keep in touch with old friends, even though they are going to be making new friends. Explain that friends can be collected throughout life, and acquiring a new friend does not mean the old friends are discarded or forgotten. 10. Talk to your child, and listen to what they have to say. Find out what they are looking forward!to"!what they!may be worried about, or what they want to know. Give your child the information they want, and lots of reassurance. Emphasise the positives and highlight the new opportunities your child will have.!

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KYDS counselling service is free & confidential. Phone 9416 9824 for an appointment.

Pick Yourself Up - a song for KYDS

Sixteen-year old singer-songwriter David Taylor is using his passion, talents and initiative to increase awareness of mental illness, and to raise funds for KYDS. ! David was inspired to write "Pick Yourself Up" to help others who were feeling down. With the help of Cam Nacsom, the song has now been professionally recorded with feature artist Ali Kerr. Available on I tunes, a proportion of profits are being donated to KYDS Counselling Service. "I feel I can use the message of the song, and any funds it generates, to help kids like me get back up onto their feet when things go wrong in their life" David said. "This is my way of thanking and giving back to KYDS, an organisation that does so much for so many teenagers."
To download "Pick Yourself Up" go to: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/pick-yourself-up-feat.../id708381874

KYDS Diary Dates: mark these in NOW!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013: Giving Tuesday -- an international day to remember those who give time, energy and resources to non profit organisations like KYDS, and how non profits give to the community. You can give to KYDS at www.kyds.org.au, or find out more about giving Tuesday at www.givingtuesday.org.au. Tuesday December 24, 2013 - Monday January 6, 2014: KYDS staff will be taking a break to relax and re-energise for the year ahead. For non-urgent enquiries, you can leave a message on (02) 9416 9824. Should you need immediate support or assistance during this period, Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) and Lifeline (131114) are available 24 x 7, and if life is at risk call 000. New Years Eve: Make a new years resolution that is easy to keep! Arrange a regular donation to KYDS Youth Development Service via goFundriase at www.gofundraise.com.au/beneficiary/kyds. Sunday March 23, 2014: Cycling fundraiser for Lifeline, KYDS and other charities, the Bobbin Head Cycle Classic is a family fun day with 12km, 57km, 80km and 105km rides, music, food and entertainment. Registrations are now open: www.bobbinheadcycleclassic.com.au Sunday April 6, 2014: The annual Lindfield Fun Run will be on again, raising funds for Rotary Youth Projects and KYDS. Mark the date in your diary, start training, and think about how you can raise extra funds for KYDS with a school or corporate team entry generating sponsorship dollars. Saturday May 31, 2014: Annual Novus Foundation Gala Fundraising Dinner, supporting a number of charities, including KYDS. Can you help us with an in kind donation for the live or silent auctions? Or maybe youd like to book a corporate table? If you can help out, phone Felicity on (02) 9416 9824, or email felicity.kyds@gmail.com. For more details on Novus and the Gala Dinner go to www.novusfoundation.org.au#

This issue of KYDS News is proudly supported by Chilton Real Estate, Wahroonga