Friday Forum: join us live from 2pm for this month's conversation with our expert panel. The topic is youth and mental health.
DID you know that at least one-third of young people experience mental illness by the time they are 25 years old? Or that depression is one of the most common conditions in young people?
Mental health is the single biggest health issue affecting young Australians today, so it is important for us to understand the problems and take action to maintain good mental health and wellbeing.
Readers will be able to put their questions about youth mental health issues to our expert panel during a special online mental health forum on Friday July 4.
A joint initiative of The Land, the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program and NSW Farmers, the monthly forums are designed to give readers access to a range of mental health professionals without driving long distances to a major centre.
"We're trying to connect our young readers with health professionals who understand their issues without leaving their home," said The Land's editor Andrew Norris.
The youth mental health forum will look at three major topics:
- How to recognise the signs that someone isn't doing so well;
- How to help a friend you think might have a mental illness; and
- How to look after yourself.
The panellists will share tips with readers about how to identify and control cyberbullying and general bullying. They will also discuss ways to cope with too much stress, and how to differentiate normal teenage behaviour with young people suffering from a mental illness.
Panellists for the July 4 forum include:
- Sophie Potter, online community manager at ReachOut.com;
- Rebecca Rennie, Youthbeyondblue project manager at Youthbeyondblue;
- Heather Gant, registered nurse with MHEC-RAP (Mental Health Emergency Care - Rural Access Program);
- Anne Worrad, occupational therapist at the Mental Health Rural Outreach Service;
- Helen Sheather, rural mental health promotion officer with RAMHP (the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program).
You can put questions about youth mental health to the panel on the day or beforehand at this website in the comments section below. The forum kicks off at 2pm on July 4 with a transcript available for future reference.