Festival gets youth in healthy headspace

Nick, Mikarla Papini, Maddy Glynn And Jamie Gordon  TBW Newsgroup
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: headspace Mount Gambier community liaison workers Nick McInerney and Mikarla Papini and headspace youth reference group members Maddy Glynn and Jamie Gordon help make popcorn at Wednesday's youth film festival hosted in conjunction with National headspace Day and Mental Health Week.

Nick, Mikarla Papini, Maddy Glynn And Jamie Gordon  TBW Newsgroup
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: headspace Mount Gambier community liaison workers Nick McInerney and Mikarla Papini and headspace youth reference group members Maddy Glynn and Jamie Gordon help make popcorn at Wednesday’s youth film festival hosted in conjunction with National headspace Day and Mental Health Week.

YOUTHS have been given top tips for a healthy head space this week while celebrating Mental Health Week.

headspace Mount Gambier hosted a youth film festival at the Main Corner Complex on Wednesday to celebrate National headspace Day.

In conjunction with various South East service providers, people aged 12 to 25 were also encouraged to participate in a range of interactive activities.

“Young people deserve recognition for the challenges they face and the resilience they need when going through those challenges,” headspace community liaison worker Nick McInerney said.

“We are all about empowering youth to do the things they want to do.

“I hope this event has helped shine a light on mental health.”

Mr McInerney said the event involved a range of short films which surrounded around the theme of mental health.

“The films tick a lot of boxes for us,” he said.

“This is our first film festival and it seems to have been a success going on the great turnout we have had.

James Freemantle And Toree Jackson  TBW Newsgroup
HYDRATION STATION: headspace Mount Gambier volunteer James Freemantle helps make fresh fruit juice with Toree Jackson at the hydration station during the youth film festival.

“We thank the services who have supported us and the City of Mount Gambier for their partnership.”

headspace community liaison worker Mikarla Papini said the day was focused around the seven tips for a healthy head space.

“They cover everything from getting a good sleep to eating healthily and connecting with others,” Ms Papini said.

“All the interactive activities we have here today are based around those tips.

“We are really trying to put a positive spin on mental health and what young people can do to look after their health and well-being.”

Ms Papini said headspace had a point of difference compared to other organisations.

“We really try and focus on being youth-friendly which I think sets us apart from some other service providers,” she said.

“Young people feel as if it is a safe and comfortable place they can come and get the support they need.”

headspace Mount Gambier is also hosting a photography competition in conjunction with Mental Health Week.

Syann Rose, Elise Jordan, Rylee Seidel And Dokota Caines  TBW Newsgroup
SHINING A LIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH: Syann Rose, Elise Jordan, Rylee Seidel and Dakota Caines at the garden pot station hosted by ac.care at headspace Mount Gambier’s youth film festival yesterday.

As the Centenary Tower is lit green for the week, the organisation has encouraged people aged 12 to 25 to take a photograph of the tower, submit the image online and tag it with #headspacemountgambier

There is also the option on taking a photograph of the tower during the day when the headspace flag is flying.

The image can also be emailed to headspacemountgambier@unitingcommunities.org

The competition closes tomorrow.