Resilient Kids reaches one year milestone

THE Northern Rivers Resilient Kids program recently celebrated one year of supporting children and young people.

More than 5,300 young people have accessed the initiative’s services, including school-based workshops, individual or group therapy and wellbeing services and participation in funded community events.

CEO of Healthy North Coast Monika Wheeler said the program increased access to support for young people in the region.

“What’s really made Resilient Kids successful is the range of supports available,” she said.

“From school-based programs to one-on-one counselling, we’ve been able to tailor services to fit each young person’s needs and step up or down as required.

The programs are funded through a $10 million federal government grant to help young people recover from the 2022 floods, reduce long-term mental health impacts of climate disasters, and promote social and emotional wellbeing.

Healthy North Coast co-designed the program with children, young people, schools, families and service providers, drawing on findings from the Resilience Survey, which 6,611 children and young people completed from 75 schools in the area.

“It’s been incredible working together with a range of service providers across the Northern Rivers, allowing everyone to tap into each other’s expertise and resources, which really strengthens the support being offered.

“By letting smaller local organisations bring their unique strengths to the table, we’re reaching even more young people in our communities and building wellbeing in our next generation.”

In partnership with The Family Centre and Human Nature Therapy, Social Futures has been delivering the program since November 2023. Lives Lived Well began providing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in August 2024.

Social Futures CEO Tony Davies said Social Futures was proud to be part of a program supporting the region’s greatest resource – its young people.

“Our team has seen a significant positive impact on the mental health, social and emotional wellbeing of thousands of young participants, but recovery is complex and takes time,” Davies said.

“There remains an ongoing need for community disaster recovery support in the Northern Rivers.”

Wellbeing hubs are in Murwillumbah, Mullumbimby, Lismore Ballina, Casino and Kyogle, with smaller outreach programs focusing on neighbouring communities.

For information on programs, visit socialfutures.org.au/resilient-kids