Hints for Healing

17/02/2026

In support of families impacted by the crisis in Iran, Hints for Healing has recently published an audio/podcast version of the Farsi tip sheet “How parents and carers can promote the wellbeing of their children in times of crisis.” It can be found here, together with the Farsi and English written versions. https://hintsforhealing.startts.org.au/%da%86%da%af%d9%88%d9%86%d9%87-%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%af%db%8c%d9%86-%d9%88-%d9%85%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%82%d8%a8%db%8c%d9%86-%d9%85%db%8c%d8%aa%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%86%d8%af-%d8%af%d8%b1-%d8%af/

In this podcast, delivered in Farsi, a STARTTS Counsellor suggests what parents/carers can do to support their children during an international crisis, how to manage their children's exposure to media related to the crisis, and where to seek professional support for their children and themselves.

16/12/2025

We are deeply shocked and saddened by the attacks that took place at Bondi on Sunday, and extend our sincere condolences to the individuals, families, and communities who have lost loved ones. Our thoughts are also with those recovering from the physical and psychological injuries caused by these horrific events.

As we approach the start of the NSW school summer holiday period, we are mindful that many of the supports that children and young people rely on during difficult times may not be readily available. One way to support students throughout the holidays is by completing a School-Link ‘Holiday Survival’ Card with them. This card helps students identify services and personal resources they can turn to for support during the school break. For the upcoming school holidays, an online version of the card can be printed and completed with students. For future holiday periods, schools may wish to consider ordering a pack of cards directly from School-Link.

The STARTTS Witness to War hotline will remain open on business days throughout the summer school holidays. Anyone affected by the events at Bondi, is welcome to call for support and information. In addition, Lifeline counsellors are available 24/7, and Lifeline has produced a Wellbeing Support Guide, which is available in eleven languages. An article, published in the Guardian, also provides helpful advice to parents and carers, on how to talk to children about the attacks. Finally, the NSW Government has published a resource outlining practical assistance and support available following the attacks.

Printable 'Holiday Survival' Card -https://schoollink.swslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/pdf/HolidaySurvival.pdf
Order 'Holiday Survival' Cards -https://schoollink.swslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/pdf/Holiday%20Z%20card%20order%20form.pdf
Witness to War Hotline - https://startts.org.au/services/witness-to-war-multilingual-hotline/
Contacting Lifeline -
https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/support-toolkit/techniques-and-guides/contacting-lifeline-guide
Lifeline Wellbeing Support Guide - https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/support-toolkit/techniques-and-guides/bondi-beach-incident-wellbeing-support-guide
Parent/Carer Guide for talking to children about the attacks - https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2025/dec/15/how-parents-should-talk-to-their-children-about-the-horror-of-the-bondi-shootings
NSW Govt support and information - https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/bondi-beach-attack

Information about the Bondi Beach attack that occurred on Sunday, 14 December 2025.

05/09/2025

Our thoughts are with people impacted by the devastating earthquakes in Afghanistan. Please remind affected students, families and colleagues, of STARTTS services available to assist them during this difficult time.
- Hints for Healing has produced a Briefing Sheet for Educators on how schools can best support students during an international crisis. https://www.hintsforhealing.startts.org.au/supporting-students-with-refugee-experience-during-an-international-crisis/
- Witness to War – A free national multilingual telephone hotline for people living in Australia who are affected by overseas conflicts. Free call 1800 845 198. https://www.startts.org.au/services/witness-to-war-multilingual-hotline/
- Counselling at STARTTS – STARTTS services are for people who have survived torture and/or trauma and are refugees, asylum seekers or from refugee-like backgrounds (including being impacted by intergenerational refugee-related trauma) https://www.startts.org.au/services/make-a-referral/