Amelia Slater Community Wellbeing

17/09/2025

"When we challenge rigid gender rules and the what it means to “be a man”, we’re building a future free from violence against women."

17/09/2025

The The Kids Research Institute Australia invites you to take part in a research study.

This study aims to better understand the health supports available for people with intellectual disability living in rural areas. They are seeking input from parents or primary caregivers to explore:

The complexity and cost of providing health supports
The health and wellbeing outcomes for people with intellectual disability and their families
The findings will help guide the development of more effective ways to support the health and wellbeing of rural people with intellectual disability and their caregivers.

Who can participate?
Rural parents or primary caregivers of people with intellectual disability aged 5-30 years.

Reimbursement:
Participants who complete the survey (~1 hour) will receive a $50 e-voucher in appreciation of their time.

How to take part:
Click on the survey link or scan the QR code provided in the attached flyer.

More information:

Dr Rachel Skoss: Rachel.Skoss@thekids.org.au
Prof Jenny Downs: Jenny.Downs@thekids.org.au
Ethical approval for this study has been granted by University of Western Australia Human Research Ethics Committee, 2025/ET000641.

15/09/2025

Good news! Changes to the Roblox platform have been long overdue!

Popular online gaming platform Roblox will introduce a new suite of safety measures following concerns we raised about grooming risks on the platform and its compliance with Australia’s industry codes and standards.

The new safety measures include:
🎮 making accounts for users aged under 16 private by default
🎮 introducing tools to prevent adults from contacting under 16s without parental consent
🎮 deploying age estimation technology before access is granted to communication features.

A number of key features will now be turned off by default for children, such as direct chat and ‘experience chat’ within games, until the user has gone through age estimation.

After a child under 16 has gone through age estimation and has chat enabled, they will be unable to chat with adults.

🛡️ Voice chat will not be allowed between adults and 13-15 year olds, in addition to the current prohibition on under 13s use of this feature.

Australia’s online safety laws require all members of the online industry to take proactive steps to tackle the worst-of-the-worst online content and conduct, including child sexual exploitation and abuse.

We’ll be monitoring Roblox’s implementation of their commitments and may consider regulatory action in cases of future non-compliance.

➡ Roblox has committed to implementing the safety measures in Australia by the end of 2025. In the meantime, check the eSafety Guide for more info about Roblox: https://news.esafety.gov.au/4nrffAc

15/09/2025

I see this often in rural towns. Fantastic events that promote social connections and sharing are happening at bars and pubs and involve booze.

Let’s stop pairing wellbeing, arts and sports with booze in the country.

If there is one message we’d love to see rural Australia truly absorb and help with, it is this.

If you can enjoy a few in moderation, that’s great. But when (inevitably) rural events, fundraisers, and mental health workshops are heavily focused on using alcohol as the draw card - we are literally shooting our wounded. Every time.

Change is as simple as creating invites and fundraisers that are about actual wellbeing - not the one thing that contributes to the worst harm we see: from su***de to mental health battles, farm safety and disasters.

Remember: change begins with you and it begins at the invitation.

Thank you to the brave thinkers and leaders among you who are doing this and taking up the mantle 🩷

13/09/2025

🎶 Did you know music can be more than just sound, it can be healing for kids and teens?

When children and young people struggle to find the right words for big emotions, music therapy offers a safe and creative outlet. It helps them process experiences, improve emotional regulation, and build connection, especially when traditional “talk” approaches feel overwhelming.

Through a social work lens, music therapy respects the whole child: their rights, their identity, their unique voice. It’s not about performance, it’s about giving kids and teens the space to be heard, seen, and supported in ways that feel natural and empowering.

💡 Want to learn more about how music therapy supports wellbeing in children and young people? Reach out and let's have a chat!

12/09/2025

If a Social Worker has helped you on your NDIS journey, would you mind being a part of this research survey?

It will help support the important and complex work that we are specifically trained to do with vulnerable people and groups.

11/09/2025

Dyslexia isn’t just a learning disorder. It can take a huge toll on mental health. We just don’t see the invisible impact beyond the spelling mistakes and reading challenges.

Dyslexia and what you see, versus what you don't see. When a student with dyslexia receives the right type of instruction and starts making progress, we see great improvement in both of these categories. Thanks to the creator of this graphic. www.DyslexiaConnect.com

11/09/2025

This inquiry should never have had to happen because there is already a very large evidence base to support music and art therapy.

I’m glad my colleagues are finally getting the recognition they deserve within the NDIS.

Art and music therapists can charge the National Disability Insurance Scheme the same as counsellors, after an independent review found they are effective.
👉 https://theconversation.com/art-and-music-therapies-can-be-life-changing-for-people-with-disability-264973?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook =1757567689

10/09/2025

Us Social Workers are the experts at navigating complex systems with integrity, respect and a social justice lense.

We are specifically concerned about individuals social functioning and their relationships with self, others and broader society.

We are different to psychologists but can provide focussed psychological strategies in individual therapy and support.

We are different to OT’s but can do thorough comprehensive functional assessments that focus on social impairment.

We are different to Speech Pathologists but can advocate and build your capacity to communicate with individuals, organisations and systems to get your needs met.

We are the experts at navigating complex family, community and social systems such as health, education, NDIS, Services Australia, the justice system and other social structures we live in.

If you need someone to build your capacity, empower you to achieve your goals and can untangle the bigger picture to do that then we are the experts.

09/09/2025

I’m loving deepening my learning about the impacts of trauma on people and the therapeutic approaches I can use to support trauma processing, healing and recovering.

Something that has been really fascinating for me for a very long time has been the intersection of developmental disorders like Autism and ADHD with PTSD, CPTSD, BPD and Dissociative Disorders .

There can be a lot of crossover of symptoms with the above conditions such as masking, avoidance, anxiety, social impairments and dissociation.

One fantastic therapy that I have been practicing and mastering this year is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and it can be used to process trauma and the symptoms related to it for those who have some of those disorders mentioned above.

It is particularly effective for those who have not had success in therapy, been in therapy for years and don’t feel like they are making progress or had negative experiences in therapy. It’s also a great complimentary therapy alongside your current therapy with a a mental health social worker, counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist.

If you’d like to find out more get in touch!

https://www.ameliaslater.com/counselling/

07/09/2025

Even helpers need support sometimes.

I provide mentoring and coaching for professionals and leaders who are navigating challenging roles or transitions. Together, we focus on practical strategies for boundaries, self-care, and professional growth, while staying inclusive, neuro-affirming, and trauma-informed.

Whether it’s managing people effectively, overcoming imposter syndrome, maintaining wellbeing in high-pressure environments, or building healthy coping strategies, our work together is about helping you get the most out of yourself and your people.

What would it feel like to have space to reflect, reset, and receive guidance tailored to you?

Find out how one-on-one support works → https://www.ameliaslater.com/consulting/

06/09/2025

Parents, carers, and professionals, are you noticing a child or young person struggling with anxiety, school transitions, self-esteem, or navigating neurodiversity? Early support can change the course of their well-being.

At Amelia Slater Community Wellbeing, we know rural families face unique challenges when it comes to accessing mental health support. That’s why Amelia brings over 20 years of lived and professional experience to provide child- and family-centred care right here in Numurkah and across rural Victoria.

From individual counselling and therapeutic support to family coaching and school collaboration, Amelia creates a safe, strengths-based space for young people to build resilience and thrive. As a Social Worker with lived experience, her approach is grounded in authenticity, empathy, and a deep understanding of neurodiversity.

If you’re concerned about a young person in your care, learn more by reaching out!