By XAVIER SMERDON
RESIDENTS from Wyndham and Hobsons Bay who are interested in mental health are being encouraged to attend an upcoming forum.
Member for Altona, Jill Hennessy, along with Orygen and Headspace will be hosting the Youth Health and Wellbeing Forum next month.
Ms Hennessy said she had teamed up with Orygen Youth Health and Headspace to help lead a discussion that would hopefully bring the topic of youth health into the spotlight.
“As young people confront an ever changing set of challenges on their journey to adulthood, it is important that we continue to learn how to support them,” Ms Hennessy said.
“Parents often have questions about what is part of normal adolescence and how you can support the young person in your life to grow and develop their independence.”
Ms Hennessy said she hoped the forum would present an opportunity to have an open discussion about the issue.
She will also be joined by clinicians from Headspace and Orygen Youth Health along with a Parent Peer Support Worker who will reflect on their journey as a parent to a young person with mental health issues.
According to online studies, incidence of youth suicide declined in the decade prior to 2009 but they now appear to be on the rise again.
The Youth Health and Wellbeing Forum will be held on 9 October from 7pm at the Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre in Altona.
For more information email daniel.allen@parliament.vic.gov.au or call 9395 0221.
