Regional youth issues and strategies

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Regional youth issues and strategies

• Presenter Tara Moreman

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Welcome acknowledgments

• I would like to Acknowledge the traditional
  owners on the land in which we stand WIRADJURI
  people I would also like to acknowledge both
  elders past and present

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My back ground

• Youth crisis accommodation service
• Neighborhood Centre- support worker youth
  worker
• Role working with young people who have
  disengaged or at risk of disengaging with young
  people (Youth Connections)
• Church youth groups
• Child Protection

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Topics

• What the issues are?
• What are the impacts?
• What you can do for them?

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What the issues are

• Mental health issues
• Sexual abuse
• Home life
• Lack of services, support, opportunities
  activities.

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Mental health issues Illnesses

• According to headspace the National youth mental
  health foundation Mental illness can occur at
  any age, but anxiety disorders and depression are
  quite common problems for young people. Mental
  illness can affect your thoughts, feelings,
  actions and memory. A mental illness is usually
  longer-lasting than mental health problems, and
  causes more distress and disruption to life.
  There are a number of mental illnesses, which
  include
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Eating disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Psychosis
• Self harm
• Excessive alcohol and other drug use

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Sexual abuse

• According to Child Wise
• Child sexual abuse is when a child or young
  person is used by an older or bigger child,
  adolescent or adult for his or her own sexual
  stimulation or gratification.
• Child sexual abuse is one of the most under
  reported of all crimes. It is now commonly
  accepted that 1in 3 females and 1 in 8 males have
  experienced childhood sexual abuse.

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Home Life

• Relationship break downs
• Parents with mental health issues
• Parents with alcohol or other drug issues
• Neglect
• DV

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Power Control wheel

• Source Dr Lenore Walker, 1979, USA.

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Lack of services, support opportunities

• Lack of services for the specific needs of young
  people
• Due to the isolated nature of regional
  communities and towns, young people can feel
  unsupported, alone and dont know who they can
  turn too.
• Lack of opportunities to explore interests and
  find employment

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Impact of issues on young people

• Alcohol other drug issues
• Disengaging from education
• Disconnecting family friends
• Suicide
• Mental health issues
• Continuation of cycles of abuse
• Become bullied or become the bullies
• Unhealthy sexual relationships
• Teen pregnancy

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What you all can do for them

• Pray
• Listen
• Be non judgmental
• Dont pretend to be something that you not
• Know the services in your area
• Get educated skilled up
• Build relationships with welfare team at your
  school become involved where possible
• Know the in school supports
• Report refer
• If you say you are going to do something do it!
• Be an asset to the young people whole school
  community

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What scripture teachers can do

• Teach Christ's love- guide the young people to
  understand how much they are loved
• Teach the message of hope
• Address topical issues such as why is their
  pain/suffering, what God has created sex for etc.
  
• Be clear
• Be patient
• Be planned
• Be prepared

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What chaplains can do

• Be available
• Know your boundaries limits
• Be in consultation with the school students to
  know what their specific needs are
• Be creative in your role/opportunity
• Be open to facilitating/ being involved with
  programs, groups and activities
• Look for opportunity for partnerships with other
  support within the school external services
• Attend interagency meetings so you are aware of
  both services and the current needs of youth.

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Ideas of programs to run

• Core of life
• Love bites
• Drum beat
• Young womens group
• Young men's group
• Rock Water

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Phone numbers to know

• Child Protection Helpline 132 111(TTY 1800 212
  936) to report child abuse and neglect 24 hrs.
• Youth Lifeline 131 114
• Beyond blue info line 1300 22 4636
• Domestic Violence Line1800 65 64 63

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Helpful websites

• http//au.reachout.com/
• http//www.keepthemsafe.nsw.gov.au/
• http//www.youthbeyondblue.com/
• http//www.headspace.org.au/
• http//www.innovativeresources.org/

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Questions?
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Thank you for your time
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References

• Child Wise http//www.childwise.net/
• Education Centre against violence
  http//www1.health.nsw.gov.au/ecav/
• NSW Police http//www.police.nsw.gov.au/