It Takes a Village: Supporting Young People

Today's episode includes discussions about self-harm that some people may find challenging to listen to. If you have little ears around or if now isn't a time that works for you to listen to that type of discussion, that's ok. Just give this one a skip for now and it will be here waiting for you whenever you're ready. In today's episode, Lisa and Rachel have the privilege of sitting down with headspace's very own Aoife Searles. Aoife is a social worker and has been practicing for 19 years. She has worked for Health for 13 years and her work is focused on supporting young people and their families. Her passion is youth mental health and she is currently a Clinical Lead at headspace, where she has worked for the last four years. If you are a parent or carer and need extra resources for self-harm behaviours, you can check out the resources below: Urge Surfing - a resource for managing unwanted behavioursEmotion Surfing - a resource for allowing difficult emotions to ride their wave and trusting that they will pass, provided by the Centre for Clinical InterventionsMythbuster: Sorting fact from fiction on self-harm - a mythbusting resource from headspaceCalm Harm - a free app that helps you manage or resist the urge to self-harmWhat you need to know about self-harm - a page from headspace with information on understanding self-harm, strategies that can help, aftercare information and when to get supportKids Helpline - facts and resources about self-harm and how to help support your young personLifeline - resources and information about self-harm Parent Line - a free telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers with children, aged 0-18 years, who live in NSW (9am-9pm on week days and 4-9pm on weekends)If you are an educator, you may find the following links helpful: SAFEMinds Facilitated Travel - equips school staff to become 'champions' in the use of the 'NIP it in the bud!' early intervention approach, the SAFEMinds Toolkit and SAFEMinds online materials. SAFEMinds School Resources - tip sheets, mapping tools, individual plans, brief intervention kits and supportive resources within the 'NIP it in the bud!' toolkitBe You Webinars - webinars and trainings that explore mental health and wellbeing themes, designed for educators, leaders, support staff and allied health workersReachOut for Schools - resources and information on self-harm for educatorsKids Helpline (for schools) - offers sessions for primary schools on various topicsIf you are a clinician, you can check out the following additional resource: Orygen on Self-Harm - a resource for supporting clinicians to work with parents of young people who self-harmIf this episode brought up anything for you requiring additional care, please call any of the services below for support: Lifeline: 13 11 14Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800Beyond Blue: 1300 22 463613 YARN: 13 92 76Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511

In today's episode, Lisa and Rachel interview teacher and registered psychologist, Leanne Brooke. Leanne is a Senior Psychologist with the NSW Department of Education and occasionally works at the Heart and Mind Collective in North Gosford, NSW. In 2025, she was the recipient of the NSW Premier's Teachers Scholarship. Her research investigated ways that schools could support young people with school avoidance behaviours to reengage with learning. She is passionate about ensuring schools are safe and welcoming places for all young people and hopes that her research might bring hope to the many families who are struggling with school attendance issues. Need extra supports? If you're a parent or educator, you can check out: School Can't Australia - this is a place for parents, caregivers and professionals supporting young people struggling with school attendance. Amaze - more resources for parents, carers and teachers about 'school can't' behaviours and strategiesNeed extra resources? If you're a clinician, you can use: Reconnect to School Kit - this is a tool to help school staff and clinicians build a comprehensive case formulation for students experiencing school refusal. Free for anyone to use, but not searchable at this time, (so please use the link above to access). INSA Network - International Network for School AttendanceAERO Literature Review - 'Barriers to School Attendance and Reasons for Absence'AERO Literature Review - 'Interventions to promote school attendance and address student absence'Brought to you in partnership by headspace Gosford, Lake Haven and Wyong, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Servic (CAMHS) and Skill Engineer. headspace Gosford, Lake Haven and Wyong are operated by Central Coast Local Health District. All headspace services are funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Administration of funding is carried out by the headspace centre's local Primary Health Network, in this case, Hunter New England and Central Coast (HNECC PHN).