Youth Mental Health Forum wins the 2021 Primary Healthcare Award for Promoting Healthy Living

An event aimed at providing safe and accurate mental health information to young people has won the 2021 Murrumbidgee Primary Healthcare Award for Promoting Healthy Living.

The 2021 Youth Mental Health Forum was held at the Wagga Wagga Christian College with 123 young people and 20 teaching staff from 16 regional high schools attending. The forum also aimed to build capacity within the school environment to support mental health and wellbeing.

Acting MPHN Board Chair Rene Pennock congratulated headspace on winning the award.

“The Promoting Healthy Living award recognises projects that encourage healthy behaviours in all areas of life, such as school, the workplace and at home,” Mr Pennock said.

“This year we had three outstanding finalists and a very worthy winner in the Youth Mental Health Forum.”

headspace, Wagga Wagga Manager Shane Thomas said he was thrilled to receive the award.

“We thank MPHN for recognising the efforts of our team who work so hard to facilitate an event that is playing an important role in effectively bringing about change regarding mental health and wellbeing,” he said.

“We would also like to thank the young people and school communities who have embraced the forum and all contribute to the wonderful outcomes we are seeing.”

Two other nominees were recognised as finalists in this award category.

Sunflower House is a Wagga Wagga based organisation who provide psychosocial support to members on a one-to-one and group basis. Their Mental Health Support Workers understand the relationship between mental and physical health and that progressive recovery is achievable in a nurturing and supportive environment.

The Lifestyle Dietary Intervention Program is an initiative delivered by Dr Heba Azer of KRS Health in Wagga Wagga utilising motivational interviewing and health promotions to deliver dietary and lifestyle advice. The program targets patients who have experienced struggles with weight management and has demonstrated great benefit for those newly diagnosed as well as established type 2 diabetics.