Local youth rock the block

YOUNG people from the Tweed and Southern Gold Coast gathered last week for Rock the Block, a Headspace Tweed community day out.

The free outdoor event at Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta, featured lawn games, a chill-out zone, sand art, a local DJ and an ice cream van.

Senior manager of Headspace Tweed, Ballina and Lismore Simone Balzer said the day was about supporting mental health through connection and fun.

“Events like Rock the Block are vital in breaking down stigma and encouraging open conversations about mental health and wellbeing,” Balzer said.

“Events like this show young people that the community is here to support them.

“They create opportunities for young people to come together in safe and inclusive spaces, and importantly, they get young people to start talking about their mental health.”

The event was hosted by the Headspace Tweed team and co-designed with input from local youth, who also helped support the day.

“Games and creative activities give us that chance to connect with ourselves and the things we enjoy and our experiences as humans,” Balzer said.

“Being able to engage with things in our own way, or try something different outside of our work, or study, or day-to-day lives allows space for joy.”

Balzer said young people were telling the Headspace team they were feeling anxious and disconnected, and that they were worried about the environment and the cost of living.

“There is a lot of positive movement around making inroads into talking about mental health and being comfortable in reaching out for help,” she said.

“But there are still a lot of young people who don’t feel comfortable or don’t know how to reach out for help.

“We are continuing to see the rates of mental ill health in young people rise, so we’ve still got a long way to go.”

Social Futures operates Headspace Ballina, Lismore and Tweed, which is funded by Healthy North Coast.

For information on how to find a local Headspace service, visit headspace.org.au