On headspace Day 2021, headspace Lithgow is urging young people in the region to start taking small, everyday steps that support their mental health and wellbeing.
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The call to action follows the release of new headspace research that shows more than half of young Australians still deal with personal problems on their own, rather than speaking to someone.
The headspace National Youth Mental Health Survey also found three in five young people feel there is still stigma around seeking help for a mental illness.
In NSW, 49 per cent of young people prefer to deal with their personal problems on their own, while 59 per cent agree there is stigma around seeking help for a mental illness in Australia.
Ashleigh Sakkouri the headspace Lithgow Community Engagement Officer said that as part of the headspace national campaign small steps start big things, Lithgow headspace created 'StressLess' packs as a way to share information and resources with local students.
"We have seen an increase in stress and anxiety in the age bracket for year 11 and 12 students since the beginning of lockdown," she said.
"This can be attributed to many things but certainly the changes to face-face learning, work from home and study pressures have increased stress, and online fatigue was becoming more evident, resulting in less capacity to stay focused on study."
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Offering 'StressLess' Packs to support year 11 and 12 students during this time, provided a way to give students easy access to supportive resources and some little bits and pieces to help get them through.
The feedback received from the schools and student so far, indicate that the packs were a welcomed offering from headspace, and they were grateful for the support during this challenging time.
"A big theme in our 'StressLess' packs is practicing self-care. Self-care is really important and the packs offered resources that were a reminder of the benefits of self-care in stressful times," she said.
Some tips that headspace Lithgow could give struggling students during this tough time are:
- Self-care - Taking some time away from the screen or studies when you feel stress levels rising and do something that fills your 'cup', go for a walk, talk to friends or an activity you enjoy to help you recharge.
- Healthy snacks to keep you going and stay hydrated
- Get some exercise - schedule time away from your study space to help you reset each day. There are small steps you can take to help ease feelings of stress while studying. You could make a study plan and break it down into small tasks
- Talk to your friends about how they manage study stress
- Try a change of scenery and see what study environment works for you Small steps start big things.
- If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed and feel like you need some to talk to contact headspace Lithgow 6352 7600 or headspace.org.au/eheadspace/
The headspace stress packs include:
- headspace bag
- Helpful resources:
- Tips for a healthy headspace
- Learning skills for tough times
- Screen time information
- Get into life
- Understanding anxiety
- How we can help at headspace
- eheadspace resource
- Take a step - Indigenous campaign support card
- A4 notepad and pen for the year 12s
- Fidget toys to support anxiety or stress
- Healthy snack
Packs were delivered to Lithgow High school, Portland Central and La Salle Academy to be distributed to all year 11 and 12 students.
Alternatively, additional packs are available and free to be collected from headspace centre at Lithgow.
"If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed and feel like you need some to talk to contact headspace Lithgow 6352 7600," Ms Sakkouri said.
Visit headspace.org.au or chat to a counsellor online at eheadspace.org.au.
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