The challenges that young people face in today’s world can sometimes seem overwhelming, not just to them, but to the adults in their lives. Help is at hand in the form of two new handbooks: Growing Happy, Healthy Young Minds and Nurturing Young Minds available for loan from Glen Innes Severn Public and TAFE Library.
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The handbooks, produced by renowned Australian youth mental health organisation Generation Next contain expert advice on key topics of importance for young people and those who care for them. The handbooks were donated to the library by Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD), at a community information evening co-hosted with Glen Innes Severn Council (GISC) in September titled Conversations we should be having with teens about mental health.
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“They are an excellent resource for parents/carers and professionals such as teachers, counsellors and health workers, who are seeking up-to-date information and practical tips to support well-being among young people,” HNELHD’s Youth Mental Health project officer Amanda Shaw said.
The handbooks cover a broad range of topics such as being safe online, friendship and social skills, teen sleep habits, learning difficulties, understanding the teenage brain, resilience, bullying, drugs and alcohol, self-harm, eating disorders, depression and anxiety.
Mental Health Month, celebrated in October in NSW, is a reminder that all young people need support with their mental health and wellbeing, not only those experiencing mental illness.
“Mental health is the number one issue of importance to young people, according to Mission Australia’s 2017 National survey of 15 to 19-year-olds,” Mrs Shaw said.
“This survey also asked young people who they would go to for help with important issues in their lives. Their parents and a relative or family friend were listed among the top three sources of help.
“Therefore I hope families will be able to use these handbooks to guide them in responding in helpful ways.”
Generation Next also recommends providing relevant sections of the handbooks to young people (aged 14 and over) to help increase their knowledge of ways to prevent and manage mental health concerns.
