YChats

Right now we're all being told to stay home for our physical health due to COVID-19 but for some, home is not a safe place to be. So what can you do to keep yourself safe in that situation?

Rita is a Neuropsychotherapist who has worked as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner/Family Court Advocate/Supervisor and Clinical Practice Trainer in the Family Law Services field for over 14 years and is a Family Domestic Violence Specialist working with both victims and perpetrators. She's sharing practical advice for staying safe in lockdown.

Resources:

https://www.communities.wa.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

https://headspace.org.au/

Let counsellor and psychologist, Chantelle Botha, guide you in this breathing exercise to centre your self and practice the art of mindfulness.

Is your mind full or are you mindful? We've spoken a lot about mental health and on this episode of YChats, counsellor and psychologist Chantelle Botha, focuses on the practice of being mindful, defining what it is and giving practical exercises and methods to get started.

Calm App: https://www.calm.com/

Headspace: https://headspace.org.au/

The impacts of domestic violence can be serious and long lasting, affecting an individual's health, wellbeing and relationships.

November 25 was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and marked the beginning of the annual 16 days in WA Stop Violence Against Women campaign. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 16 men in Australia have experienced physically or sexual violence from a current or previous cohabiting partner and a woman is killed every 9 days and a man every 29 days by their partner.

Roman reached out to us at YChats to share his story of growing up with domestic violence in his home. When Roman was a child his family immigrated to Australia. Not long after, his parents got divorced and his mother met a new partner who was violent towards her. The abuse escalated until it tragically resulted in her murder.

To assist navigating safety in a domestic violence situation, we were also joined by Rita Iagoe, family dispute resolution practitioner and neuropsychotherapist, from UnitingCare Queensland. She provided practical advice, resources and guidance for listeners.

Resources

Headspace: https://headspace.org.au/ Youth Focus: https://youthfocus.com.au/ YCounselling: https://www.ymcawa.org.au/what-we-do/youth-services/ycounselling Kids Helpline: https://kidshelpline.com.au/ Lifeline WA: https://www.lifelinewa.org.au/

There are so many young people who are creating and inspiring change. Marcus Wong is a young photographer and filmmaker who is connecting the world through storytelling. This year he was awarded WA Young Volunteer of the Year for the amazing work he has been doing. Alana sits down with him to discuss his volunteering journey and the impact he has created.

October is Mental Health Awareness Month so Alana sat down with Chris Harris, Psychologist and Senior Manager of Services, Development and Innovation at Youth Focus, to talk about suicide prevention and the importance of feeling valued and belonging.

Youth Focus: https://youthfocus.com.au

Reach Out: https://au.reachout.com/

Six years ago, after discovering sexual predators had stolen photos of her from social media and edited them onto pornographic images, Noelle Martin, bravely spoke out about her experience – and continues to, despite the abuse escalating after she shared her experience publicly. Her activism has led to new laws that criminalise image-based sexual abuse across Australia and earlier this year she was awarded 2019 WA Young Australian of the Year. No-one anywhere else in the world has campaigned so tirelessly, in fact, Noelle has been interviewed around the world as she takes this fight global!

Alana sits down with young person Raegan Lei who shares her story of living with someone dealing with mental health issues. This episode talks about suicide so listen at your discretion.

If you are struggling with your mental wellbeing there are many resources you can access.

Lifeline: 13 11 14 or https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Youth Focus: https://youthfocus.com.au/

Talking about mental health can be hard but your friends are there to listen and support you. That's why when Alana sat down to talk about coping with mental health issues, she couldn't think of anyone better than her friend Colin.

He's been implementing strategies to cope with his mental health issues for the past ten years and here he shares his experiences and what works for him.

If you are struggling, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Alana sits down with med student Hannah from Dr Yes to ask the questions young people want answered about STI's, contraception and porn.

Resources provided by Hannah:

Dr Yes: https://dryes.com.au/

Sexual Health Quarters: https://shq.org.au/

Youth Friendly Doctors: https://www.amawa.com.au/public-community-health/in-the-community/listofyouthfriendlydoctors/

AMA: https://www.amawa.com.au/