@Fiona Robards wrote: New question:   Currently there is a Government website for young people: http://youth.nsw.gov.au/   What is useful or not about a government website like this one?   Would you use a website like this one?      Sorry I missed this extra question.. LUCKY I make it in time :D (and I figured out the quote function.. #winning)       My first impression is: it looks and feels like a government website (funnily enough haha) .. perhaps too formal/ too 'adult' and perhaps a bit off putting (depending on age)       By going off the home page- it looks like a news/ policy site and if I regress into my <18 year old self, I wouldnt think that there is access to help or information via this website and probably leave it without much thought (sorry).       My >20 year old self... it's actually quite informative. There seems to be a lot of information which seems fairly self explanatory. I particularly like the 'search by category' as in some circumstances, YP dont actually look for specific info, just browsing/ searching for info etc.    Out of curiosity.. Is the info about local youth centres mentioned earlier on this website? If so, could not find it! :)     ... View more

I wonder, when you search for services online, would you ever look up a service directory? For example, there is on in the Northern Sydney called YouthSource which is an app and a website  http://youthsource.com.au/ . There is also a National App and website called the National Health Drectory  http://www.nhsd.com.au/ . Would you ever use these? Or are young people more likely to look at websites?   I only recently discovered mindhealthconnect and the Link service being developed by YAWCRC/ Melb Uni which I think are great tools.. However, whenever I personally have searched for health services, I have never used a directory. Often I search for which ever health concern I am after, and go through the websites that pop up. I think YP are very good at searching the internet effectively and finding information quickly.. so a service directory would have to be worthwhile- user friendly, encompass a range of services and be something a YP would bookmark and head to all the time? :) ... View more

thank u @Perspicacious   u r so right when u say there are some great services and resources out there that are not so commonly known and really it is about how we communicate these across to a wider audience. Do u think it's only online we can do this, or do u have any ideas on targeted strategies we can use offline too?   Hmm.. Doesn't have to be online only... although I am sure it is cheaper and would have a far reach..   I think offline- targeting primary or high schools would be a good idea. I deliever a mental health based presenation in various high schools in Sydney, and students often pick up brouchers and merchandise that I provide.. and they become connected to lot of information about local MH services. In addition, I think if school counsellors, local GPs and various health/ local youth/ sporting centres were able to connect YP with local MH services in some way (brouchers/ leaflets etc)- that could potentially be effective! ... View more

1.Tell us the top 5 apps, websites, games you use for your wellbeing and health? How often doyou use or access them? My Fitness Pal (app)- used every day; FitBit (app)- used every day; mySymptoms (app)- used every day; Better Heath Channel (website- VIC)- used sporatically/ when needed; ReachOut.com- used monthly or when needed...    2. What kind of information about your health do you search for online? Can you find everything you need or are some things you want information on hard to find? I often search for specific health concerns, causation of certain symptoms, or just to find out ways to improve my diet/ exercise/ wellbeing in general. Often the websites I use will have the information I need. Sometimes it is hard to find health related information from Australian sources.   3. If you were going to look for a professional (people like counsellors, doctors or health workers)to help you with an issue, how would you go about it? Depending on the professional/ health concern.. If I was after a GP or doctor, I would go to my local medial centre and find a GP that I like. If it was for mental health- I would have a look at Headspace, or search for local professionals online to see if a counsellor in my area sounds OK. Very rarely I would need to venture out and search for new professionals, as I use the same ones for a long time..    4. Tell us about a health service that you have been to that you like the look and feel of (we’re thinking about services like counsellors, doctors, youth workers etc). What was it about the service that you found appealing? If they had website or you if they provided an online service to you, would that make any difference to you? [edit] A MH service I used was at the local hospital (many years ago now..), and the counsellor there was fabulous and I went there every week after school for a long time. Funnily enough, they didnt have a website or any online information- but it was the only place I knew that had MH services at the time. If they did have a website- I think it would have really demonstrated that they had a variety of MH professionals and services available and how they can help YP.   5. Youth health services are ‘one stop shops’ that provide a range of health services to young people like counselling, access to doctors, getting general health information and individual support (similar to, but not headspace) Do you know about any youth health services*? Do you know if you have one in your area? How did you find out about it? No & unsure..   6. Thinking about the technology we asked about before, and youth health services – what sorts of technology would you and your friends use if a youth health service had it? Websites mostly, but apps can be beneficial depending on the type of service.   7. Do you think social media could be used to promote information and services to young people? What kind and how? Perhaps- on Twitter, I follow a lot of NFP/ health related accounts and they often promote health info that I read regularly, not so much on Facebook.. I think social media is limited to the people who would seek it out/ follow these accounts. I'm not sure if social media promotion would reach those who do not follow these accounts..   8. If you had a pot of money, what would be the most important thing for you to spend it on, to improve young people access to health information and health services using technology? I think websites like ReachOut.com, mindhealth connect/ Link (yawcrc) need to be better promoted to a wider audience (through whichever means are effective)... e.g. through targeted social media advertising etc. I think these establised services are really effective and worthwhile- but it is amazing how many people have never heard of these services.  ... View more

What kind of things can you include on your resume?   Anything that you have achieved that sets you apart, makes you unique, brings something new to the table... When you are really young (just starting out)- its a fairly short document. So talk yourself up!! ... View more

What is the best way to improve your savings account eg. odd jobs, chores, employment?  High Interest Account + Casual job + Save your entire Tax return instead of spending it + Set a savings goal!   What are you really spending your money on? COFFEE, Uni textbooks, food and clothes- probably in that order :(  ... View more

A budget is helpful. There is an app "Track my spend" which is super useful. I brought a book when I was 16- A smart girls guide to money or something like that which was useful as well! I think starting budgeting/ saving/ being money savvy early pays off in the long run!  ... View more

Thanks for the tip @stonepixie .. I have never thought to join a party! Will look into it   ... View more

YAY great chat. Good night everyone  ... View more

@Caity1912 Haha.. Politics would kill me I think!    ... View more

A tad ambitious for 10 years- but it needs to be done!  ... View more

In ten years time, what should our mental health system look like?   1. One portal service to access a database of professionals F2F in your area- cities and rural areas 2. A sophisticated online counselling system- e-counselling, more online support services 24/7 3. A sophisticated telephone counselling service- so that 100% of calls to Lifeline and Kids Help get answered (minimum!) 4. A streamlined aftercare service for those out of hospitals- recovering from acute MH issues 5. A national psychoeducation program for all schools and available to the community and families.  6. Affordable for all ... View more

Absolutely @ruenhonx ... Which is why I think that YP telling their positive stories of getting help and treatment is far more effective than having an "authority figure" e.g. parent, teacher, media etc telling you to get help! I find this with school MH presentations I give- the students really connect and motivates people to ask if their friends are OK and to seek help! ... View more

Thats great @stonepixie .. It's always nice to hear positive stories out there.. There seems to be less horror stories now! ... View more

Thinking about the Crossroads report and our current mental health system, if a friend approached about how to get help, what would you tell them?   It would depend on the problem. I think headspace is a good place to start- to suss out if their services are suitable for my friends needs.    Sometimes help is just being a person who listens, sometimes help is referring someone onto a professional who can guide them through the problem!  ... View more

On the flip side, if you were health minister for a day, and money wasn't an issue, what two things would you do to improve our current system?   I have another to add.. if I may    3. Invest more money and services into "after care" of MH.. Readjusting from serious MH episodes, looking for work, interpersonal skills, education and social support   ... View more

On the flip side, if you were health minister for a day, and money wasn't an issue, what two things would you do to improve our current system?   1. Have a bulk bill system for mental health services and professionals- where young people and those disadvantaged do not need to worry about the cost of care   2. Invest in psychoeducation in schools, community groups and families- to stop stigma on MH issues, and raise awareness..  ... View more

Absolutely @stonepixie .. I was lucky that my first counsellor was absolutely amazing. I cant imagine where my journey would have gone if I was left with someone incompetent, or just someone I didnt click with..   I would gather this would be the case across the board. So important for young people to have a therapeutic alliance with their MH professionals.  ... View more

Well said @Boom  ... View more

Are there any barriers that prevent young people from seeking mental health support or that cause them to start then stop getting help?   The obvious one: they dont recognise there is a problem! .. When things get so bad, everything crashes down.. It is only THEN when we seek help. That needs to change..  ... View more

How important is early intervention? Is there anything else than needs to be done in that space?   Early intervention is proven to be an effective way to minimise the duration and severity of symtpoms. Also, getting the correct diagnosis and treatment is important.   Although- more psychoeduation for families and friends can really benefit the community- recognising the symptoms of MH early and knowing what to do- who to turn to- what to expect is just as important.  ... View more

I think young people can expect to be heard by MH professionals. To trust that the conversations are confidential. That the space is safe and you can be free to communicate your thoughts and feelings--- at the pace you feel comfortable. And to recieve treatment that is studied and proven to be effective! ... View more

I also agree... I think a 21st C mental health system needs to be streamlined... Have a "one-stop shop" website/ phoe app with all the available services that are in your area. It helps identify potential services that are close to you.   In saying that- online is certainly the way of the future..  ... View more

Nothing really surprises me with the infographic.. I mean $9bil and 8800 more professionals in the next 15 years to double the amount of help for Australians is staggering... But it really highlights the need to streamline effective services for people in order to double the reach for people. Early intervention is defintely key.  ... View more

I agree, I think that crisis services work well. Particularly crisis services for young people include a great team of professionals to access- psychologists, psychiatrists, nutritionists etc.  ... View more

It's hard to say what works generally... As there are a lot of individual differences in the care recieved by professionals.   I think the online services are great, whethere its just info based, or e-counselling is really a step forward in mental health care. I think the phone services need more funding and a lot more people on the other end to answer calls! ... View more