BENDIGO students who are finding remote learning challenging are being encouraged to speak up.
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Most students in central Victoria returned to remote learning for a second time on August 5 as COVID-19 restrictions tightened across the state.
Headspace Bendigo manager Lindsay Rose said the youth mental health service had seen an increase in student referrals.
"I don't find it surprising considering it's quite a stressful time of the year for students and families," he said. "You then have to factor in COVID-19, which has added quite a bit more stress into the mix."
Bendigo Senior Secondary College assistant principal Kylie Hand said most of her students had been feeling more positive about the second remote learning period.
"They are telling us that they are coping better because there is not as much of an unknown," she said. "It's clear what is expected of them and they have learnt lessons from last time.
"Another thing is that VCAA have cut a lot of the work so the workload is not the same as last time."
But Mrs Hand said students who were struggling should talk to their families, friends, and schools.
"At Bendigo Senior Secondary College and other Bendigo schools, wellbeing teams are operating as normal," she said. "They are available for all of the support they would normally offer.
"They can provide individual support as well as refer to other agencies. My advice is to reach out to your school if you are having difficulty managing."
Mr Rose said services like headspace were there to support young people who were struggling.
He said it was also important for young people to look after their mental health and wellbeing before it became unmanageable.
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"Steps to maintaining mental health and wellbeing include eating well, staying active where you can, getting enough sleep, and getting into new activities where you can," he said.
"It's also important to continue socialising with friends, even if it has to be online."
Mrs Hand said she understood many year 12s were feeling like they were missing out on important parts of their final year.
"We understand there is a sense of loss there," she said. "But we're encouraging them to think that those things will happen, they have just been put on hold for the time being. These opportunities will come.
"But also, the strength, resilience, and adaptability that these students have had during this year will stay with them for a lifetime.
"They have had to pivot multiple times and they have taken it in their strides remarkably well."
Mr Rose encouraged any student who was struggling to contact headspace's Bendigo office on 5406 1400 or reach out online at headspace.org.au.
Kids Helpline also offers phone and online counselling for children and young people between the ages of five and 25 on 1800 55 1800 or online at kidshelpline.com.au.
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