“YOUNG people face a unique set of challenges and have a lot going on in their lives which can leave them feeling unbalanced or that they’re always trying to keep up,” headspace Swan Hill manager Kirsty Jacobs says.
Wednesday was national headspace Day, raising awareness about the mental health and wellbeing of young people and the ways their family and friends can support them.
This year’s theme was to “pause, reflect and reconnect”.
“The theme was developed by young people, and what they told us was they are feeling stressed, overwhelmed and busy, especially over the past couple of years,” Ms Jacobs said.
“This theme is not just for young people but also something everyone can do by just taking a moment out of their day to pause, which is crucial to role modelling these skills to young people.”
Headspace chief executive Jason Trethowan said it’s crucial to take a break and focus on the important things in life.
“The blur of mental and emotional demands can sometimes make life feel challenging,” he said.
“That’s when it can be useful to pause, reflect on how your feeling and reconnect with the people and things that make you feel good.”
Bonnie Kelly from the headspace Swan Hill Youth Reference Group shared some strategies to help slow down and reconnect in tough times.
“Making sure I am maintaining an open and honest relationship with those most important in my life really helps me through tough times,” she said.
“I know that moving my body regularly, even if just going for a short walk or stretching out in the sun for a few minutes, helps me slow down.”
With a stressful last two years for everyone, Ms Jacobs said more young Swan Hill residents were asking for help from headspace services.
“Our level of engagement locally has increased,” she said.
“Young people are more aware of our services now and are reaching out, which is encouraging because young people need a safe space with the ups and downs of life.”
