News

Applications are open for headspace Lithgow’s very first Youth Reference Group. Young people aged 12 to 25 years with an interest in local youth issues are encouraged to apply.

Carolyn Fisher, Community and Youth Engagement, is encouraging young people with a passion for mental health to apply for the Youth Reference Group and use the opportunity to shape the headspace message and services in Lithgow.

“We want young people to share their insight into local youth issues, topics of interest and their experience of life in a regional town. It’s also a really exciting and unique chance for young people to be directly involved in this new service, and contribute to headspace Lithgow.” 

The team at headspace Canberra are long time advocates for same-sex attracted and genderdiverse young people, and as such, are proud to again support Wear it Purple this coming Friday.

Wear it Purple began in 2010, in response to growing concerns over the psychological wellbeing of young same-sex attracted and gender diverse people who experience significantly higher rates of suicide, self-harm, anxiety and depression.

Tracy Boomer, Youth Care and Community Engagement Coordinator at headspace Canberra, says it’s important to take every opportunity to support diversity and all the things that make a person unique.

Marathon Health has appointed Megan Callinan as Chief Executive Officer, after an extensive recruitment campaign that saw over 75 strong applicants vying for leadership of the country not-for-profit.

Ms Callinan, previously Chief Operating Officer, brings with her a wealth of experience in project management, social justice, community development, disability advocacy – as well as a strong commitment to ensuring equality in access to health services for country Australians.

Having worked within the organisation for over 3.5 years, Ms Callinan says her focus for the immediate future is to ensure clients have access to quality, innovative and fit-for-purpose services

Marathon Health’s Executive of Governance Bryan Hoolahan, welcomes the Federal Government’s Long-Term National Health Plan, delivered late last week.

The Plan – set to recognise that ‘depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and psychosis are health problems to be treated just like diabetes, asthma and broken bones ’ – is a fantastic step forward for mental health treatment and education.

Shining the spotlight on discussions about death and end of life care has become more of a focus for many health professionals over the years. All too often people shy away from these discussions until they have a health scare – and for thousands of Australians it’s too late.

Marathon Health’s Partners in Planning initiative aims to equip you with the tools to start conversations today, so when it comes to the end of your life your family is armed with guidance and knowledge regarding your end of life wishes.

Gone are the days where a person would remain in the same job for their working life – with research now suggesting that, on average, young people will have 17 jobs over five different careers in their lifetime. Rapid advancements in technology also means a life-long commitment to education, to be equipped with the skills and capabilities needed to stay ahead in the job market.

But what if a mental health concern was impacting your ability to find and retain employment? That’s where the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program is changing lives. Operating out of headspace Dubbo, what began as a trial in 2016 across 14 centres nationally is now in the process of rolling out to a further 10 sites.

On Friday, Justine – 25-year-old Ngunnawal woman, was awarded Trainee of the Year at the QueanbeyanPalerang Regional NAIDOC Awards.

Justine joined Marathon Health in October 2018 as a trainee and hard-working all-rounder at headspace Queanbeyan; whilst also studying her Certificate III in Community Services.

Through her leadership and passion, Justine has identified ways to support headspace Queanbeyan to work with Aboriginal clients in a culturally appropriate manner. Since commencing her work with headspace Queanbeyan, Justine has instigated and implemented a number of culturally appropriate services such as a young women’s Yarning Circle.

Approximately 1.7 million people in Australia have diabetes – with one new person developing the condition every five minutes. It is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease and is a real risk in our country communities.

Anna Blackie, Marathon Health Diabetes Educator, says there can be a lack of understanding about risk factors and associated health problems if someone already has a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

“A lot of people aren’t aware that if they have diabetes, they are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease and on top of that they are likely to develop it about 10 to 15 years earlier than the general population.”