A new place to go for young people
facing depression - www.batyr.com.au
I was delighted to incidentally take part in a presentation by the CEO of Batyr last week as part of an industry function I was attending. The segment recognised the volunteer work done by many people who had built a new empowering webpage for this splendid innovation for Australian youth:
BATYR AIMS TO ENGAGE, EDUCATE AND EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES BY FOSTERING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE TALKING ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND SEEKING HELP IS NOT ONLY ACCEPTED, BUT IS ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED.
The programs connect secondary and tertiary students with young speakers who have successfully managed a social or mental health experience. We educate students about the support networks and systems available to them and empower students to reach out for help when they need it.
Despite 1 in 4 young people suffering a mental health issue by the end of adolescence, mental health issues are not openly discussed and remain the ’elephant in the room’. Mental ill health holds a stigma that prevents open and frank exchanges and ultimately is a barrier to young people getting the help they need. Batyr speakers share their life experiences of issues such as depression, suicide, anxiety, stress, sexual assault, eating disorders, bullying and personal health. They discuss the first hand benefits of reaching out, what avenues of support helped them and show students they are not alone and help is always available.
We use the four steps Look, Listen, Talk and Seek Help -as a simple way of educating students on what they can do for themselves or a friend they are worried about. It’s about looking for changes in behaviour, the importance of listening to the person dealing with an issue, how to talk with them and where they can seek help when they need it.
Comment:
Where the Beyond Blue has great awareness with the adult population these wonderful folk have seen the screaming need for a service targetted at young people so that they not only know where to go ...but that they will be encouraged to go there!
Congratulations to all those who helped and to the founders of Batyr for persevering in a realm that receives precious little recognition - let alone support.
Dark Reptiles
Dawn breaks bitter light
Stirring stone refuge once more
intruding again on broken sleep
Red eyes stare down the door
Movement doesn't come easy
Reticent to leave the source
Where can one go to find refuge?
Fate steer me that safer course
Inviting faces challenge the mask
The now freeing frame distracts
As routine brings timely release
In hiding the guarded facts
How can I improve my position here?
Can warmth not ease the doubt?
As the stalking dog ...he pads nearby
He's always, always, about.
Over the shoulder a shadow looms
night can't be far away...
Bent in regression a constant curse;
Call dark to shroud the day!
So bring me sleep to salve my life
In an all too brief reprieve
The gloom closes in yet sleep does not come
the subconscious defying the need
Where do you go; where do you go?
To escape this moribund place
Waiting for heat
from much needed sun
with a gripped gnarling face
epilogue:
The ones that I love
Waiting for heat
from much needed sun
with a gripped gnarling face
epilogue:
The ones that I love
They take good care
They know the struggle in me
The ones that I love
They know me well but
Their love can't set me free
Forwarded from my I pad - Grahame J Flynn
Forwarded from my I pad - Grahame J Flynn
