#CHATSTARTER ARMS YOUNG PEOPLE AND PARENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Thursday, 19 August 2021
A unique partnership between the National Mental Health Commission and Australia’s national mental health organisations who specialise in supporting children, young people and parents – batyr, Beyond Blue, Butterfly Foundation, headspace, Kids Helpline, Orygen, and ReachOut – has today launched #ChatStarter.
This first-of-its-kind campaign will harness the power of social media to engage parents and young people alike, with Facebook Australia providing significant support as a major partner to reach millions of Australians across the country using Facebook and Instagram. The campaign will also be promoted on TikTok to extend awareness of the importance of #ChatStarter conversations.
#ChatStarter connects, engages, and promotes the benefits of supportive conversations with young people and children who are going through a difficult time right now. Developed in response to the challenge of pandemic restrictions in the Cootamundra Electorate and the increasing impacts these are having on the mental health of children and young people, #ChatStarter intentionally encourages people to use the tips and resources freely available on the Federal Department of Health’s Head to Health website to help them have supportive conversations, and to share and promote the benefits with their communities online. #ChatStarter also encourages young people and parents in the Cootamundra Electorate and across NSW to create their own content on social media with instructions on how they start chats safely with others.
National Mental Health Commission CEO, Ms Christine Morgan, said that once again, the nation was being challenged by COVID-19 and for many, the new restrictions feel harder than the previous ones, and are having a cumulative impact on children, young people, and their parents.
“We are understandably fatigued after more than 18 months of COVID-19. Many people, some for the first time in their lives, are dealing with mental health challenges. This is particularly true for young people, who we know are experiencing heightened levels of distress and mental health challenges,” Ms Morgan said.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said “We are spending more time at home than we usually would and engaging online more often. This places both parents and young people in a unique position to recognise and support someone they care about when they are struggling.
“Making sure people are well educated on the subject of mental health is very important to me which is why over the past few months, I along with important members of the community have been travelling around our region and conducting mental health information nights.
“We need to promote these vital campaigns and tools of support which have the potential to change the course of someone’s life for the better.”
Recent research indicated children, young people, and their parents and carers are experiencing increased levels of distress and adverse mental health impacts.
#ChatStarter was designed with the support of parents and young parents. The program highlights just how critical conversations can be in helping identify when someone is going through a difficult time. They can open opportunities to reach people before they reach crisis point and help them access the right type of care.
To feel more confident in starting a conversation and continuing it, visit https://www.headtohealth.gov.au
