BCH launches new support group for parents

BELLARINE Community Health is launching a new pilot program to help address health and wellbeing issues for young people on the Bellarine.

Called “Parents in Partnership” or PIP, the fourweek program aims to support parents, guardians and carers to discuss common concerns young people experience.

“Adolescence can be a tough time for our young people but it can be equally tough for parents and guardians,” BCH Youth Services Manager Tanya Fitzpatrick said.

“Some parents find it difficult to know the difference between normal mood swings and a child’s need for privacy and what potentially is mental health decline.”

The PIP group will provide a supportive environment for parents to voice their concerns along with relevant education, direction, strategies and tools to implement at home.

The program will run across four weeks at the BCH Youth Services site on Peninsula Drive in Drysdale, and there will be a weekly topic with guest speakers, such as health professionals or parents with lived experiences to share.

Topics covered will include youth mental health including anxiety, depression and the signs to look for, school and social disengagement, and wellbeing such as sleep, nutrition and exercise.

“Our program is designed to educate carers and provide helpful information and strategies to assist their young people in their mental health recovery journey,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.

“We want people to come along and feel free to talk about their concerns, ask questions, support each other, and learn ways to tackle mental health and wellbeing in general.”

The four-week pilot program is being made possible through funding provided by Gen U. Bellarine Community Health hopes to expand on the pilot program in the future.

The four-week program kicks off this week. To find out more information about the Parents in Partnership program, phone the BCH Youth Services team on 5253 0400 or email [email protected].