News

Every year, thousands of people are hospitalised in Australia receiving end of life treatment they do not want.

Australians are very good at having a yarn about writing a will and talking about who’s going to be left what – but aren’t good at making decisions in advance, detailing how we want to be looked after if there’s an accident, or if we lose the ability to communicate.

In recognition of National Palliative Care Week, Dr Andrew Lee, Partners in Planning Project Lead, is calling on the community to start frank conversations with family about end of life care and to consider filling out an Advanced Care Directive.

This week is National Volunteer’s Week and Marathon Health, in partnership with Save the Children Australia, are celebrating the role of volunteer mentors in the Youth Frontiers program.

Youth Frontiers focuses on young people aged 12-16 who are under-engaged in school or local community life and have had limited opportunities. Volunteer mentors support young people to develop teamwork, leadership and decision-making skills.

Marathon Health Youth Frontiers Project Officer, Sophie Weathersbee, said the volunteer mentors are playing a large role in shaping positive experiences for the youth of Broken Hill.

headspace Queanbeyan will be standing proudly with the LGBTIQA+ community this Friday, as they pledge their support once more to the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

Research continually shows that the LGBTIQA+ community are at greatest risk of developing mental health concerns, with young rainbow people presenting as some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Nat Oliver, Community Engagement at headspace Queanbeyan, says IDAHOBIT is a day to educate and spur change in attitude and perception.

Young people at participating local schools will be taking part in the headspace Orange Youth Forum this week, organised and led by the Orange headspace youth reference group and the headspace Orange team.

The Youth Forum, made possible through a Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) ABC Heywire Youth Innovation grant, and local donations, is a one-of-a kind event for the Central West region and features key speakers Nic Newling, Chris Houston, Dean Withers, and Dakoda and Claire Ward – who will all shine a light on mental health and the importance of speaking up when you need support.

Alison Logan, Centre Manager at headspace Orange, says this is the first time the Youth Forum will be presented to schools outside of Orange – a huge achievement for the centre.

It has been over a decade since headspace Canberra opened their doors, to offer mental health and wellbeing supports to the over 38,000 young people in the region aged between 12-25 years.

The anniversary celebrations coincide with the official launch of the new, centrally located centre in Braddon - which opened its doors to young people in December last year. Since opening, headspace Canberra has seen over 14,000 young people across the community and has become a pillar of youth wellbeing in the community.

1-5 April 2019 is National Advanced Care Planning Week, a chance to talk about, and record medical preferences for when there may be a time that we are unable to do so.

Australia has an ageing population, with research indicating that 50% of people will be too unwell to communicate their own medical decisions when required. This leads to increased stress on family members to assume the care you want when your wishes may not be known.

Marathon Health, in partnership with COORDINARE - South Eastern NSW PHN, is encouraging the community to take the driver’s seat when it comes to their health – through the Partners in Planning initiative. The program, being rolled out in South East NSW this week, gives people a voice and the opportunity to take control of their future health care – regardless of what the future brings.

Drought affected communities across rural and regional Western NSW can now access free mental health coaching support developed by Beyond Blue and delivered locally by Marathon Health.

Most of NSW remains drought stricken and the sustained stress on locals, along with uncertainty around livelihoods, can take a toll and leave lasting effects on people’s mental health.

With many farmers, small business owners, workers and parents feeling the pressure, it is vital that people receive mental health support as early as possible to prevent their issues leading to more serious mental health conditions

To support young people as they face new challenges, headspace Queanbeyan regularly host workshops and social groups. Working closely with their Youth Reference groups, the workshops have been designed to address concerns identified as being prevalent for young people in the community.

“We have workshops that teach mindfulness, anger management, and coping mechanisms for the early stages of anxiety and depression. Plus we have social groups like our LGBTIQA+ group and our Chill Space group, who meet to do craft or watch movies. We really have something for all young people.”