the campaign trail - 3 nov

I'm running in the upcoming state election in the upper house seat of Eastern Metropolitan. It's been another busy week on the campaign trail. This week includes updates on:

- Don't miss the Eastern Metro Campaign Launch, book now - Friday 7 Nov

- The Eastern Metro team meets with EDVOS - read more about the Greens plan to end family violence

- Doncaster and Rowville Rail lack of progress continues to make the news, Greens support the development of a business case and detailed engineering study for Doncaster
    = Study finds Doncaster Rail off track for 15 years - The Age
    = Knox residents too conservative for their own good when it comes to Rowville Rail extension - Knox Leader
    = Doncaster Rail link in 2031, according to study - Manningham Leader

- Greens candidates across Eastern Metro pledge to Put Education 1st, check the gallery

- Greens candidate signs going up across Eastern Metro, can you help? If so PM me.
- Events across Eastern Metro to help the Greens - check out your local event here
- Greens support the Great Forest National Park
- Rally for Public Transport coming up, Melbourne 15 Nov 1pm, State Library
- Greens Candidates across Victoria preselected
- Greens want to Close the Gap in Mental Health

- Greens want to abolish Puppy Farms

- Manningham Greens Day of Action, volunteers hit Bulleen and Warrandyte with Ben Cronly, Richard Cranston and Greg Barber.
- Greens want to End Duck Shooting

You can keep up to date with campaign news on:

facebook - Samantha Dunn EasternMetropolitan
  or
twitter - @greens4eastmet 

to volunteer or donate

web - Samantha Dunn, Candidate for Eastern Metropolitan

spreading the mental health message

While many young people may fill their days with study, sport or socialising, there’s a group of Yarra Ranges teenagers who spend their time spruiking a much more serious message.

The group are doing their bit to break down the stigma attached to mental illness as members of the council’s Youth Services’ program Paying Attention to Self (PATS).

As part of their ongoing campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues, the group has designed a hoodie windcheater. The hoodie has a large question mark on the back with the words “Understanding mental illness” as well as a reference to the PATS group.

These young people are particularly inspirational in their efforts, as they have at least one parent suffering a mental illness.

The group is working hard to breakdown stereotypes that sadly still exist in society, they also provide a wonderful support to each other.

PATS aims to provide education to young people about mental illness, and to help them learn ways to better manage the day to day challenges of having a parent with mental illness.

One of the most important components of the group is the peer connections. Many young people feel alone in having a parent with mental illness, so introducing them to others who understand is really beneficial.

The hoodie was one of a variety of projects designed to provide a talking pointand raise the conversation about mental illness. Other projects have included designing silk flags, mosaics, a photo exhibition and creatinga DVD and a book.

Their energy and commitment to getting the mental health message out there is inspiring.

Young people wanting to find out more about the PATS program can contact Youth Services at Yarra Ranges Council on 9294 6716.

Hoodies a good fit for cause
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Elisa Miller
09 November 2010

depression in young people

Last week saw a Mental Health Forum on Depression and Young People held in Emerald and organised by the Rotary clubs from Emerald, Monbulk and Belgrave. It was a compelling forum, well organised and thought provoking for people in the audience.

The panel were well informed and highlighted the good work going on to help young people get through depression despite the many barriers in place. Also well represented were our local secondary schools, Monbulk and Emerald, who’s Wellbeing Coordinators spoke with great empathy and care about the young people in the region.

Alarming to learn was the huge gap in mental health services in the public health system. Of even greater concern is the change to Secondary School support for students. In the past students were able to access on onsite psychologist, but under the new system, students must be registered through a centralised agency. This has created huge waiting lists and has serious consequences for young people seeking immediate help.

We know that between 8 and 17% of young people will experience a depressive illness.

It was staggering to learn about the lack of preventative measures in place to stop mental illness in the first place as clear indicators can be picked up at an early age. The speakers provided great perspectives on depression and mental health and the panel, facilitated by Dr Sally Coburn, included a practising clinical psychologist, youth worker from ECHO, young person who’d experienced depression for 4 years and a mother whose daughter had an eating disorder.

My congratulations go to Rotary for their ongoing commitment to working with our community and providing community members with useful resources to tackle youth depression.