Marathon Health is urging the community to remember their After Hours medical services over the Easter period, for urgent but non-emergency medical attention.

Therese Behan, Team Lead, After Hours, said Easter can be a busy time for emergency departments across NSW, which puts pressure on limited emergency resources in small country hospitals, and can also extend waiting times for people who don’t need urgent medical care.

In recognition of Youth Week 2021 (with the theme ‘together more than ever’), headspace Canberra is hosting a wellness workshop to support the mental wellbeing of young people.

To mark the event, the free workshop will begin with yoga hosted by Shine Om, and will provide attendees the opportunity to learn about mindfulness and participate in creative arts. All attendees will receive a gift bag and a healthy lunch.

Around one million Australians have swallowing difficulties, called dysphagia. Swallowing Awareness Day 2021, held this year on 17 March, aims to inform people about swallowing disorders and to connect people with speech pathologists, the professionals who can help.

Kylie Irvin, Marathon Health Speech Pathologist, says Swallowing Awareness Day is an opportunity for people to learn about swallowing difficulties and how speech pathologists are the professionals who can help.

This National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, headspace Queanbeyan is promoting ways young people and parents/carers can minimise potential damage caused by bullying.

Nat Oliver, headspace Queanbeyan Community Engagement Coordinator, said being bullied whether verbally, physically, socially or online, is an issue that can have long-term mental health consequences and impact future relationships.

It is well known that fewer health services exist in rural areas in comparison with major cities, despite the rates of disability being higher in these areas. Marathon Health, regional not-for-profit, is committed to connecting country Australians to NDIS services, ensuring they have choice and control over the support they access.

Jenief Cornish, Marathon Health’s Portfolio Manager for the Murrumbidgee/ACT region, says it is a priority for the charity to provide NDIS services to people across the Murrumbidgee.

headspace Dubbo is hosting ‘headshave for headspace Dubbo’ to raise much needed funds for Mental Health First Aid Training for 18-25-year olds.

Amy Mines, headspace Dubbo’s Community Engagement Officer says it’s important now, more than ever, to have crucial supports in place to provide early intervention support, mental health education and continue to de-stigmatise speaking about mental ill health.

headspace Dubbo, together with batyr, are teaming up to bring the Youth Wellbeing Leadership Forum. Taking place on Tuesday 2 March 2021, the workshop aims to train up to 80 young leaders in grades 9 to 11 to be mental health and wellbeing advocates for their schools and communities.

Amy Mines, headspace Dubbo’s Community Engagement Coordinator says it is important for young people to be speak out mental health, as it destigmatises and removes barriers around accessing support.

Applications are open for headspace Orange’s 2021 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.

Sharna Lord headspace Orange 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.