{"id":70354,"date":"2022-05-29T04:30:27","date_gmt":"2022-05-28T18:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=70354"},"modified":"2022-05-25T10:03:29","modified_gmt":"2022-05-25T00:03:29","slug":"ocean-mind-celebrates-five-years-of-life-changing-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/ocean-mind-celebrates-five-years-of-life-changing-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Ocean Mind celebrates five years of life changing work"},"content":{"rendered":"

Award-winning surf therapy program Ocean Mind will celebrate five years of changing young lives when it hosts a major fundraiser at Geelong Library next month.<\/p>\n

Ocean Mind founder and CEO Rachael Parker said the event on June 3 would be an evening of stories, celebration and connection.
\nAttendees on the night can hear from\u00a0program participants, partners and guest speakers about the ongoing work of the Torquay-based charity.<\/p>\n

Ocean Mind provides a therapeutic surf program for young people aged eight to 18 years who are experiencing mental health challenges, social isolation and disabilities.<\/p>\n

During its five-year journey the program has conducted 187 therapeutic surfing sessions for 140 young people through an evidenced-based surf therapy approach.<\/p>\n

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To date Ocean Mind has conducted 187 therapeutic surfing sessions for 140 young people. The charity’s ongoing achievements will be celebrated at a fundraising event on June 3. Photo: FERNE MILLEN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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“The mental health and wellbeing of our young people is one of the most significant\u00a0challenges we are facing post-COVID,” Ms Parker said.<\/p>\n

“Demand for support is higher than ever with more than 150 referrals to the program anticipated in 2022.”<\/p>\n

Ms Parker, a youth worker with more than 10 years’ experience, is passionate about using outdoor environments to create positive experiences and opportunities for young people to thrive.<\/p>\n

She first discovered surfing in 2015 as a way of managing her own mental health and has since combined her passion for the ocean and working with young people to create the hugely successful Ocean Mind program.<\/p>\n

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Ocean Mind founder and CEO Rachael Parker.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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All funds raised from the Five Year\u00a0Anniversary event will go toward supporting the continued growth of Ocean Mind
\nwhich plans to:<\/p>\n