Music program strikes the right note for young people

AS Mental Health Month 2024 draws to a close, headspace Lismore and Tweed have said their initiatives to help young people seeking support run all year round.

The services help them to find balance in crisis by reconnecting to what brings them joy, such as filmmaking, music, games and more.

Vincent (Vinnie) McManus delivers the Level 3 Music Studio program, which supports over 30 young people and is passionate about the benefits.

“Music not only allows young people to engage in creative expression, but it also helps them to define who they are and their place in the world,” McManus said.

“It can bring about a wonderful sense of confidence and achievement. I believe the creative process is a powerful therapeutic avenue.

“When you pull off a good song with someone who was feeling quite broken, and you create something beautiful, it is wonderful,” he said.

Emerging Lismore singer/songwriter Mia French has participated in the program and said it had helped to talk to someone who listened and understood.

“I found out there was a music studio program which was crazy – and just perfect for me,” French said.

“I was able to record and produce my original songs, which was an amazing opportunity and something I had never had the chance to do before.

“The support from the people and programs at headspace have really helped me find a stronger sense of what I can achieve,” she said.

Lismore’s Young Peoples’ Advisory Committee representative Sam Baynham said there were multiple barriers to seeking support and cited the lingering impacts of the pandemic and flood, cost of living, housing, food security, climate change and social media as intertwining stressors.

“The constant comparison when you are told there are people who are worse off is a barrier,” Baynham said.

“It invalidates your experience, and that stops a lot of people from seeking help as they think ‘there are people who need it more than me’, or ‘my issues aren’t enough’.

headspace Senior Manager Sim Balzer said the programs were effective.

“The integrated, multi-faceted approach to care places the young person’s interests and strengths at the heart of the support,” she said.

“There is no judgment on whether your problem is too big or too small. We’re here for anyone who needs to chat.”

If you or someone you know needs support, visit headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/lismore/