From the CEO

Welcome to our first eNewsletter for 2009

March 28 until April 5 is National Youth Week (NYW) - the largest celebration of young people in Australia. This year’s theme is ‘Make a Move’ and encourages young Australians to make a difference in the community by showcasing their talents and creativity.  Many headspace centres are conducting events such as community forums, art workshops, sporting activities and festivals to celebrate the occasion.  For more information visit our website at www.headspace.org.au

In this edition we are also urging Australians to consider the impact of the current economic climate on young people’s mental health.  headspace has examined the impact of the financial crisis on young Australians and have been working with the media to encourage the early identification of young people who may need additional support at this time.

I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce Ms Wendy McCarthy AO as the new Chair of the headspace Board. We are thrilled to have Wendy joining us and her knowledge, passion and expertise will be crucial as headspace move beyond our establishment phase.

Enjoy reading this edition.

Regards,
Chris Tanti
CEO headspace

Introducing headspace's new Chair - Ms Wendy McCarthy AO

headspace would like to take this opportunity to introduce Ms Wendy McCarthy AO as the new Chair of the headspace Board.  Bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to headspace, Wendy is a Corporate Management Advisor, mentor, author, educator and change agent.  Wendy is also the Executive Director of her two businesses and chairs the boards of another five organisations including Circus Oz, Plan Australia and the Sydney Community Foundation. 

Wendy began her career as a secondary school teacher and remains passionate about the power of education. She has also worked with government, corporations and community based organisations in family planning, education, women’s issues, public health, heritage and media and has held national leadership roles in all of these areas.  It is this eclectic combination that gives her a unique profile and network nationally and internationally. 

Wendy’s working philosophy is to keep her head and heart connected. She has a strong commitment to youth mental health and looks forward to leading headspace beyond our establishment phase with a focus on helping more young Australians seek early, effective and youth-friendly mental health care. 

All 30 headspace centres open

Did you know that all 30 headspace centres are open and seeing young people?  Over the past couple of months several headspace centres have held their official opening with a range of events taking place in their local communities.

The following headspace centres have recently celebrated their launch:

• Peninsula headspace located in Frankston, Victoria launched on 23 January with a community celebration at a local skate park.
• headspace Central Australia located in Alice Springs, Northern Territory launched on 28 February, with a BBQ, youth dance & musical performances and speakers including headspace CEO, Chris Tanti.  The event was organised by their Youth Advisory Committee, giving the celebration a youth perspective
• South West Victoria headspace located in Warrnambool, Victoria launched on Tuesday 10 March with the unveiling of artwork created by a local young artist especially for the occasion, along with speeches from key consortium members.  The event finished up with everyone enjoying a BBQ while listening to a local youth-band and taking a first hand look around the centre.
• headspace Central West Gippsland launched their two sites in Morwell and Warragul on March 24 with a range of festivities including official speeches, indigenous dancers and an open house, giving everyone within the community a chance to view their new premises.

To find out what is happening at your local headspace centre click here and find the centre closest to you by clicking on your state or territory on the map.

Young people vulnerable in the current economic crisis

The current economic climate is placing pressure on everyone as many Australians face unemployment and financial uncertainty. In these tough times, headspace is urging employers, families and friends of young Australians to consider the impact of the current economic climate on the mental health of young people.

Young people will need support in managing their feelings and overall mental health because of additional stress caused by their own job uncertainty and that of family members. You can be on the look out for signs that young people are struggling to cope with job uncertainty.  Signs of anxiety include:

1. Persistent worrying and excessive fears
2. Inability to relax
3. Avoiding situations that are feared
4. Excessive shyness
5. Social isolation or being withdrawn
6. Difficulty concentrating and paying attention
7. Poor sleep
8. Problems with work, social or family life

Young people can be supported to successfully manage anxiety and depression. headspace has 30 centres across the country where young people can see youth-friendly GPs, mental health professionals and receive assistance with finding or retaining a job, or returning to study.

Seek help by visiting www.headspace.org.au for help, support and information.

Report supports headspace model

An interim report from the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission titled ‘A Healthier Future for all Australians’ was released in December 2008.  The report contains a summary of the challenges facing Australia’s health system and makes a compelling case for health reform to meet the needs of future generations of Australians. 

The report clearly supports the headspace model and our focus on early intervention, youth-friendly and easily accessible care.  It calls for similar strategies be put into place to provide more integrated, community-based mental health services for children and young people and states that the benefits of an approach such as headspace are profound.

To download a copy of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission’s interim report click here.

Introducing 'Mythbusters' – a new headspace series

headspace Mythbusters are prepared by our Centre of Excellence. They aim to debunk common myths that are contrary to research evidence. The first mythbuster in our series Asking young people about suicidal thoughts or behaviours will only put ideas in their heads is designed to counter the belief that asking young people directly about suicidal thoughts and behaviours is harmful.

To download a copy of our first Mythbuster click here.  Also, make sure you keep an eye out for other Mythbusters to be released in the coming weeks including:

1. Only adults can have personality disorders. (You can’t diagnose borderline personality disorder in adolescents.)
2. Borderline Personality Disorder is too hard to treat. (You can’t just change someone’s personality - they need long-term intensive work.)

Another new feature of headspace’s Knowledge Centre is our new Evidence Summary Resources.  The first of the series is Using SSRIs to treat depression in young people: What are the issues and what is the evidence?  To download a copy click here.

Buy a compliments tee and support headspace

When is the last time you paid someone a compliment?  It’s a simple way to way to brighten someone’s mood, improve their day or just make them feel good.  Girlfriend magazine is taking this message to the streets and has joined forces with SUPRÉ to design two funky compliments t-shirts as part of their Self Respect and Think.Do.Be.Positive campaign and National Compliments Day on April 16.  T-shirts are on sale from today with $1 from each sale going towards headspace’s National Youth Reference Group’s Expressions Project. 

There are two great t-shirt designs to choose from and both tees are sold as part of a compliments pack. The packs are just $20 each and include tee, a bottle of love 600ml water and next month’s issue of Girlfriend. Packs are available from SUPRÉ stores nationally across Australia and remember you'll be helping a good cause at the same time with $1 from every sale donated to headspace. 

Put National Compliments Day on April 16th in your diary and help us encourage others to be positive and give a compliment to a friend, colleague or family member.  In fact why not start the ball rolling and pay someone a compliment right now!

For more information on Girlfriend’s Self Respect and Think.Do.Be.Positive Campaign click here.

Reference group members win awards

On Saturday 28 March, nine young Territorians were recognised for their outstanding achievements at the Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards. headspace would like to congratulate Nathan Frick and Kat Byron who are both members of our National Youth Reference Group on winning a 2009 Northern Territory Young Achiever Award.  Nathan took out the ‘Minister for Young Territorians Excellence in Youth Leadership Award’ and Kat the ‘Somerville Community Services Award’.

The Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards are presented annually by Channel Nine, Imparja Television and the Darwin / Palmerston Sun to recognise the very deserving achievements of young Territorians.  Each Young Achiever received a $2000 TIO Build Up Saver Account and a trophy.

Both Nathan and Kat have been instrumental in the development of headspace’s Youth National Reference Group and volunteer a lot of their time to community services and have great passion for youth issues in the community.
Congratulations again!

Staff at NAB Geelong support headspace Barwon

The staff at NAB Geelong recently showed their commitment to headspace Barwon and the Geelong community by holding a Geelong Business Charity Auction Luncheon on Friday 20th of February. The Luncheon provided an opportunity for NAB staff to raise funds to assist the young people of Geelong.

Many of Geelong’s key business people - local parliamentarians, city councillors and charity representatives - attended the luncheon and supported the day by bidding on the numerous auction items.   Overall the day raised approximately $127,000 for the charities including: headspace Barwon, Kids Plus, Michael Carmody Foundation and the Barwon Health Foundation – Kids Ward. To watch a video and for more information on the luncheon click here.

The work that headspace does is significantly enhanced by the support of organisations such as the NAB.  We welcome your thoughts and ideas on how you (or the company you work for) can support headspace and positively impact on the lives of young Australians. For enquiries contact headspace National on 03 8346 8213.