Information session: How to support your young people and yourself Kira Thomas Senior Intake Clinician Headspace Meadowbrook Janet Raddacliff Community Engagement Coordinator headspace Ipswich and Meadowbrook Introduction of speakers Advise where toilets are and emergency exits

Overview Overview Warning signs How to provide support Services available Support for yourself Adolescent development

Warning Signs Loss of interest in activities Sleeping too much/too little Eating too much/too little Lack of concentration Lack of motivation Spending more and more time alone Not speaking to friends/family/support Talking about wanting to hurt themselves Talking about wanting to end their life Researching methods of harm towards self

Warning Signs Cont. Overview School refusal Increased worry Overthinking situations Reactive to situations they mightn’t have been before Adolescent development

How to bring it up Be calm Using “I” statements “I’ve noticed that its been hard for you to go to school” VS “Why aren’t you going to school?” Try and come from a place of curiosity, rather than fear or disapproval Let them know why you care, or why you are worried Let them know that you will support them through this Be available if they ask for support or advice

How can I help? What is headspace? BE OPEN AND REMAIN NON-JUDGEMENTAL Be patient and listen to the person’s fears and concerns, and take them seriously. It’s not just a matter of telling them to ‘calm down’ or ‘it is not that big of a deal’ – it’s not that easy. ENCOURAGE THEM TO TALK ABOUT WHATS GOING ON FOR THEM Share the things that as a child/teen you were about and ask them what their biggest worry is. By modelling your own calm acceptance of anxiety you will be assisting them to remain calm about theirs. TEACH YOUR CHILD ABOUT ANXIETY AND ITS PURPOSE  Educate yourself about anxiety and its adaptive role in helping humans survive (flight-fight-freeze). Explain the physical changes in the human body when danger is perceived (sweaty hands, blood to extremities, rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing etc.). By explaining these you are helping to normalise anxiety as well as assisting your child to identify and understand the way their own body reacts when anxious. What is headspace? headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation  We help young people who are going through a tough time Looking fr someone to talk to? If you're 12-25, you can get health advice, support and information from headspace. With centres all around Australia, headspace can help you with: General health Mental health and counselling Education, employment and other services Alcohol and other drug services If you are unsure, just ask the person People sometime aren’t sure what “anxious” means, so you can use the words “stressed, worried, afraid, scared, tense, or concerned” instead

Help for me It is important that as you care for someone that you also look at what you need to remain fit and healthy.  Being at your best means that you can offer greater patience and a more considered approach as to how you can help. Parents and carers of young people can often neglect their own needs and not know where to get information and support for themselves.

Support Organizations for Parents Your GP – You can ask them for a Mental health Care Plan which would allow you to have 10 psychology sessions in a calendar year PARENTLINE – 1300 30 1300 www.parentline.com.au Carers Queensland – 1800 242 636 Relationships Australia (Queensland) – 1300 364 277

Support Organizations for Young People Your GP They can provide support and referrals Headspace Meadowbrook Works with young people from 12-25 providing counselling Eheadspace: 1800 650 890 / www.eheadspace.org.au Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800 CYMHS: 3290 0500 CYMHS Acute Response Team: 3068 2555