1. 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

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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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 –
Carers Queensland –
Relationships Australia (Queensland) –

9. Support Organizations for Young People
Your GP
They can provide support and referrals
Headspace Meadowbrook
Works with young people from providing counselling
Eheadspace: /
Kids Help Line:
CYMHS:
CYMHS Acute Response Team: