Skateboarding program to help youth with psychosis
A skateboarding initiative that creates a ‘safe space’ for teens and young adults to discuss their experiences with psychosis and other mental health concerns has been introduced by the headspace Youth Early Psychosis Program (hYEPP).
Jack, a young Victorian who is recovering from psychosis with the help of hYEPP, said skateboarding helped him during hard times and he’s now leading the new program with headspace mental health experts.
“It always helps to speak to someone, if something is wrong then speak out to mates, family, any outreach. It’s okay to ask for help and it’s okay not to be okay,” Jack said.
Once a week, Jack will lead skateboarding lessons and during the class there are opportunities for participants to chat about problems on their mind and be connected with headspace mental health experts.
The program was launched 11 August with a skateboarding competition at The Shed in Cranbourne, hosted by professional vertical skateboarder Renton Millar.
“Having a program like hYEPP helps to identify issues early and lets young people know there is help so that it’s addressed before it gets too heavy,” Millar said. “I’ve seen people go through hard times and heal and become healthy again.”
Psychosis can include confused thinking, holding strong and unusual beliefs, hearing voices, or changed feelings, all of which can become extremely distressing for the young person, their family and friends.
hYEPP Program Manager, and operations manager for the Alfred Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Glenda Pedwell, said psychosis most often emerges in adolescence, which is a critical time for young people in working out who they are, getting through school and entering the world of work.
“Our program is quite exceptional in that we seek to involve families and friends in all elements of the program. When a family member tells you that you’ve saved their child’s life, it’s incredibly motivating,” Ms Pedwell said. “hYEPP services help young people get back to school and work and doing all the things they love.”
Saturday’s competition also marked five years of life-changing work by the hYEPP team.
“A lot of our young people they feel heavily stigmatised and they would like the world to think of them as valuable citizens that have a unique contribution to make,” Ms Pedwell said.
headspace Board member and youth mental health campaigner, Professor Patrick McGorry AO, said psychosis can be a frightening experience and the tendency is to cover it up.
“But the best thing to do is share and trust that people will help you - if you pick it up early you have the best chance of recovery,” Prof McGorry said. “It’s important to encourage teens and young adults who are experiencing psychosis to get help as soon as possible, and for family and friends to support their loved one.”
Prof McGorry said the hYEPP program should be rolled out across the country and receive consistent funding from the Federal Government so that all youth can access the service.
Please click here to visit headspace website for help and further information.
