News

Young people accessing headspace Dubbo services are being supported to find employment through the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program.

Carole Bayley, Vocational Specialist, said it’s a difficult time for young people as they navigate the uncertainties of COVID-19 which has impacted their education, employment and overall mental health.

“We’ve seen a 5% increase in young people accessing our services since the pandemic began. Young people are reaching out to chat to someone they trust and get support to find stable employment,” Ms Bayley said.

This May, our headspace centres are calling on the community, local businesses, gyms and clubs to join thousands of Australians across the country and sign up to The Push-Up Challenge to push for better mental health.

Participants across the country will connect virtually to challenge themselves physically, learn about mental health and help raise awareness of the 3,046 individuals in Australia whose lives were lost to suicide in 2018.

headspace Orange Community Engagement Coordinator, Sharna Lord, said the challenge is a great mental health initiative to connect people together during COVID-19.

Bathurst and Dubbo residents are now able to access Marathon Health’s free GP After Hours services from the comfort of their homes, allowing physical distancing requirements to be met.

Marathon Health, Portfolio Manager of Primary Health Services, Shellie Burgess, said the service can now accommodate clients through phone or video consults.

“The Dubbo and Bathurst after hours telephone services are proving crucial to residents who need medical advice outside of normal GP hours. We urge people to use these services if they have any nonemergency concerns and need medical advice from a local GP,”Ms Burgess said.

Operating alongside the telephone service – the walk-in GP clinic available on weekends is now operating via phone or video for patients who don’t want to leave their homes to comply with physical distancing laws.

It's an unusual and tough time for small business owners as they navigate the changing landscape of the workforce due to COVID-19 – but local support is available.

Marathon Health’s Support to Skills is a free program that provides training, mentoring and resources to small business owners to help them create a mentally healthy work environment. The program also connects staff to free, local, mental health coaching without the need for a GP referral.

Support to Skills Small Business Liaison Officer, Cecilia Maloney, said the program is an important initiative for local small businesses, who bring significant economic and employment benefits to Bathurst, and who have been critically impacted by the stress and uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation.

Applications are open for headspace Bathurst’s 2020 Youth Reference Group. Young people aged between 12-25, with an interest in mental health, youth issues and a desire to learn new skills, are encouraged to apply.

Jake Byrne, headspace Bathurst Community Engagement Coordinator, says joining the Youth Reference Group is a unique chance for young people to shape headspace messages and services, and meet like-minded young people.

“Being a part of the Youth Reference Group is a chance for young people to be directly involved in organising headspace events, providing feedback on current services and groups, brainstorming new group ideas, creating new projects and so much more,” Mr Byrne said.