United Way developing a culture of social help
Organisations across Australia are increasingly looking for ways to keep young employees engaged to stay and grow with the organisation, says United Way Chief Executive Officer Clayton Noble in an article for The Australian. One way to appeal to the modern worker is through business community partnerships. Read more about United Way’s involvement with Macquarie Park Business Community Partnership which helps improve employee engagement while contributing to important social outcomes.
SANE Australia’s Help Centre counselling services
The approaching festive season means a higher demand for SANE Australia’s Help Centre counselling services. For young people living with mental health issues, the festive season can stir up feelings of loneliness and isolation, and exacerbate difficult family dynamics. As SANE Australia increases its over-the-phone and online services during this time, it aims to provide young people with a safe and supportive space to navigate challenges.
Butterfly Body Bright underway
Butterfly Body Bright, Australia’s first pilot primary school body image project, is underway at Butterfly Foundation with plans to launch to the Australian education community in June 2021. The online program provides guidelines for school communities to promote positive body image, staff training, teaching content aligned with the curriculum and electronic resources for families.
Upskilling youth mental health professionals
The Youth Mental Health and Technology team at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre has developed a series of online education and training seminars aimed to upskill youth mental health professionals amid the coronavirus crisis. It is reported that young people in particular will be hardest hit with mental ill-health as the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus crisis becomes the new norm for many. The seminars co-led by Professor Ian Hickie AM and Professor Elizabeth Scott have been endorsed as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity and have been recognised by the Society for Mental Health Research.
Celebrating NAIDOC Week
In November, Youth Off The Streets celebrated National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week through immersing disadvantaged young people in activities to learn more about Aboriginal culture. The program included a smoking ceremony, traditional dance from Giralang Guwal, art workshop, a boat trip around Sydney Harbour accompanied by stories of the Gadigal, Guringai, Wangal, Gammeraigal and Wallumedegal people.
ReachOut’s research into young people and stress
New research from ReachOut has found over 50% of young people living in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia are worried about their future, however when compared to their city counterparts they are less likely to seek support. Almost half of young people living in metro areas said they would go online for support, compared to 40% of young people living in regional, rural and remote areas. These findings emphasise the importance of support services and resources like ReachOut’s content for young people on future stress.
Bush Fire Support Service for first responders
As the bushfire season begins, the Black Dog Institute has launched the Bush Fire Support Service, a scheme to support the mental health of emergency service workers and their family members. The service includes up to twelve one-on-one psychological mental health care sessions with experts, free of charge via Telehealth. Black Dog Institute will also offer a variety of ways to access the service, including a confidential online mental health assessment through a website designed to link people with the most appropriate support. The Bush Fire Support Service also includes professional development and the latest mental health evidence training for general practitioners in bushfire-affected areas to ensure local support for first responders and their families and streamlined referral to specialist mental health care.
Changing Our Nation premier
Students from the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) are set to appear in a new special documentary Changing our Nation on Sky News on Thursday, 10 December at 7.00pm (Sydney time). The documentary follows the lives of Australia’s young Indigenous trailblazers and celebrates the power of education.
You can read about the impact of Future Generation’s investment in AIEF here.
Online Christmas concert
The Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF) understands that for many disadvantaged children and families, Christmas can be one of the hardest times of the year. With the help of music, ACMF aims to provide some cheer and happiness for those who need it. Join an online Christmas concert on Wednesday 16 December via Facebook Live and watch the performances from singer songwriter and ACMF Founder Don Spencer and students from the ACMF music programs.
Scott Morrison delivers key mental health speech
Orygen welcomed Prime Minister Scott Morrison to its Parkville facility in November where he announced the release of the Productivity Commission’s final report into mental health and the National Suicide Prevention Advisor’s interim advice. Orygen looks forward to reviewing the Productivity Commission’s report in full and developing a formal response.
