A SPOTLIGHT will be shone on youth mental health issues in Orange next week in an effort to overcome stigma and discrimination as part of Mental Health Month.
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The Orange TAFE Western campus in March Street is calling on community members to join its students, Orange community and health organisations and students from Orange high schools at a barbecue on Wednesday, October 14 from 10am to 2pm.
People are also encouraged to stop and think about mental illness and those it affects for a “mindfulness minute” on October 21 at 9.30am.
TAFE Western counsellor and psychologist Rachael Buckerfield said the events aimed to raise awareness among people from across the community and show what mental health support was available in Orange.
The theme is ‘Let’s Talk About The Elephant in the Room’ and Tafe Certificate II construction students have made elephant cut-outs that are being displayed across town to help raise awareness and promote the community barbecue.
“There’s a lot of young people experiencing things like depression or anxiety, we felt there was a lot of it occurring in Orange but [there is] not a lot of awareness and there’s a lot of stigma,” Ms Buckerfield said.
“This is the first time that TAFE has done this and it’s also the first time a number of organisations have come together in Orange for youth mental health in particular.”
Ms Buckerfield said there would be a number of mental health organisations with stalls on the day, providing information about how to access help and support in Orange.
“This will foster a no wrong door approach, where accessing any of our services will help you on the path to better mental health,” she said.
“If people from all walks of life can come together at an event like this. we will help reduce the stigma involved with mental illness and develop a healthy and positive attitude in our town.”
She said she had worked in private practice at a number of organisations and saw young people experiencing significant mental health issues “time and time again”.
“People don’t want to talk about it and that makes it harder for them ,” she said.
Mental Health Month is celebrated Australia-wide in October every year.
For more information, find Orange Youth Mental Health Month on Facebook, call Ms Buckerfield on 6391 5696 or email rachael.buckerfield1@tafensw.edu.au.
tanya.marschke@fairfaxmedia.com.au