THE importance of mental health was brought to the forefront at a recent seminar.
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Orange High School students were presented with a seminar run by Centacare and Adolescent Mental Health Service representatives and facilitated by Wambigi Orange.
The seminar covered the signs of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, self-care strategies and where to get help.
Wambigi Aboriginal community worker Christine Fing said mental health education was a good way to combat the stigma.
“The reason we had the seminar was to try and get the kids to know there’s nothing sinister about [mental illness],” Ms Fing said.
“Everyone needs to know things happen in life and anyone can get depression or anxiety,”
“It’s about recognising when it’s getting out of hand within yourself, your family members or friends.”
Ms Fing said students discussed mental health with their peers in a supportive environment.
“If they’re talking about it with a lot of other students, they realise it’s not just them,” she said.
“If they hear it coming from an expert and they hear symptoms, they might recognise some of them within themselves,”
“Our biggest hope is that they listened, heard and took some of the brochures from Headspace and Beyond Blue on how to access help.”
Mental Health Emergency Care Service clinical nurse consultant Martin Davis said the digital age posed challenges and benefits for students.
“I think the pressure on young people has increased, especially with social media,” Mr Davis said.
“However there are great websites that offer information and support and Orange itself has a great range of services.”
“It’s about reducing the stigma of the illnesses so people will access this help.”
The optional seminar had a good turn out with more than 50 students in attendance.
Wambigi proposed and planned the workshops as a part of their Education Readiness Attendance and Achievement Service in order to improve educational outcomes.
In this case, the outcome was to identify when students needed help to overcome mental illnesses to help them stay in school.
A seminar will be presented by Centacare, Adolescent Mental Health Service and Headspace to Canobolas High School students next week.
