New mental health program provides support to young people and families
On 11 August, the Australian Government launched a new online mental health program for young people and their parents.
The #ChatStarter program is a unique and collaborative approach to community mental health support, using social media to connect, engage and promote the benefits of supportive conversations with young people and children who are going through a difficult time.
Young people and parents are encouraged to access a library of tools and resources through the Head to Health website.
The program has been created jointly by the National Mental Health Commission, ReachOut, Butterfly Foundation, Orygen, batyr, headspace, Kids Helpline and Beyond Blue and will be delivered through the support of social networking platforms Facebook and Instagram, and crowdsourced from a number of contributors through TikTok with links linking back to the Head to Health website.
Assistant minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman said #ChatStarter is aimed at empowering parents and young people to recognise and respond to signs of distress through conversation and providing access to appropriate resources.
"#ChatStarter is an invaluable tool at a time when Australians are understandably fatigued after more than 18 months of COVID-19," assistant minister Coleman said in a media release.
“Many people, some for the first time in their lives, are distressed and experiencing serious mental health challenges.
“This is particularly true for an increasing number of children and young people who have faced disruptions to their schooling and sporting activities and who have often been separated from their friends and loved ones such as grandparents.
In designing and developing the program the National Mental Health Commission bought together more than 50 young people and parents, seeking their real life experience alongside key mental health support services.