By Brendan Rees
Without skateboarding, Jack may not have got through the hard times he’s endured in life.
Today, Jack, a young Victorian who is recovering from psychosis hopes a specialist program will be able to help other young people.
“It always helps to speak to someone, if something is wrong then speak out to mates, family, any outreach,” he said.
Jack is now leading a new skateboarding program that creates a ‘safe space’ for teens and young adults to discuss their experiences with psychosis.
The headspace Youth Early Psychosis Program (hYEPP) was launched with a skateboarding competition at The Shed in Cranbourne on Saturday 11 August – which was hosted by professional vertical skateboarder Renton Millar.
“Being able to talk about mental illness is vital and can encourage young people get the help they need,” said Jack.
Once a week, Jack will lead skateboarding lessons and during the class there are opportunities for participants to chat about problems on their mind and be connected with headspace mental health experts.
hYEPP Program Manager, and operations manager for the Alfred Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Glenda Pedwell said psychosis often emerged in adolescence, which was a critical time for young people in working out who they are, getting through school and entering the world of work.
“hYEPP services help young people get back to school and work and doing all the things they love,” she said.
Headspace Board member and youth mental health campaigner, Professor Patrick McGorry AO, also attended the event to celebrate the inroads that have advanced with early psychosis services.
“Expert help from special early intervention programs, such as hYEPP, can help young people get back on track with their schooling, their passions and their relationships with family and friends”, Prof McGorry said.
