Workshop aims to get youth mental health issues out there
Wednesday November 18, 2009
Bila Muuji Social Emotional Wellbeing’s Rennique Skinner and Katrina Ward, Cobar Community Health’s Tarra Moore and Angela Webb and Cobar High School counsellor Annette Hunt are busy planning an upcoming youth mental health workshop.
Mental health workers in Cobar have joined forces to bring information and resources to Cobar High School students.
The school will host ‘Get it Out There’ next month, a mental health awareness workshop which will bring together presenters from a wide range of health services.
Cobar Child and Adolescent Health worker Tarra Moore said she is “ecstatic” about the event, which will be the first of its kind in Cobar aiming to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues in teenagers.
“It is important for teens to realise that health is not just physical wellbeing but also encompasses being proactive about mental and emotional health,” Ms Moore said.
The event is sponsored by the Outback Division of General Practice (ODGP), who will also present a session on the negative effects of binge drinking.
The workshop aims to promote student interaction, with ODGP’s session to utilise “beer goggles”, which represents various stages of intoxication.
Bila Muuji Social Emotional Wellbeing will also take part in the day, presenting a session on building resilience, coping with bullying and building self esteem.
Cobar Community Health will introduce students to a number of common mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
“Students will be encouraged to recognise the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety in themselves and their mates via theatre sports games and interactive discussion,” Ms Moore said.
Centrelink will also present a session on the day on payments available to youth.
Cobar High School counsellor Annette Hunt has also helped facilitate the day.
“We created a local contacts list for the students as well as phone counselling services.
“It is paramount that when someone feels they need assistance, they know where to seek help,” Mrs Hunt said.
Students from Years 9 to 11 will participate in the day, which includes a free sausage sizzle and ‘goodie bags’ from the Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) community health team.
Next story | News home
