A new Bendigo youth crisis card and poster resource will help young people get access to services during times of need.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Funded by the Suicide Prevention Awareness Network Central Victoria, the crisis card and poster will promote Bendigo and national services that support a young person in a time of crisis.
Related:
The materials were developed in with headspace Bendigo, Anglicare Victoria, Bendigo Community Health Services, Catherine McCauley College and Bendigo Foodshare.
SPAN vice president and founding member Alannah McGregor said there were many services available but knowing the right one for what you need was often hard for someone in crisis.
"SPAN became aware of a general sense of confusion in which place to ring if you or your child are in a crisis,'' she said.
"When you are helping someone in crisis your mind can go blank, so you need to have the information you need right there available.
"This card allows you to see all resources clearly and if you are not in a crisis then this card will allow you to have it in the back of your mind if you ever need the information.
"In general, there is no local Bendigo resource that covers all crisis needs straight away so this card will cover not just mental health but all different aspects of crisis such as housing and alcohol and other drug services.''
The Youth Crisis Card poster was launched this week with the cards being printed for distribution in early October.
Ms McGregor said they funded the resources using a donation from the 'Walk for Mental Health' campaign which saw six local men walk to Melbourne raising funds and awareness about mental health.
"Tim McKern was kind enough to donate these funds to SPAN, which is what we are using to launch the Crisis Card project," she said.
Related:
"Tim wanted to know what we were putting it towards and was really happy that it was going to be spent in a way that is accessible for everyone.
"This will be good for families not just young people. I'll have it saved in my phone because if I ever come across a family member or friend that is in a crisis, or just someone on the street, you can show them this and know that if you ring these numbers, you will get help."
A Youth Crisis Card poster, launched on R U OK? Day, carries a QR code at the bottom.
Headspace Youth Reference Group member and Bendigo Community Health Services Health Promotion Office Belle Grech said by scanning the QR code young people could carry a digital copy of the poster on their mobile phones.
"Providing this digital element alongside the physical copy of the Poster and the Crisis Card, allows greater accessibility for young people to utilise the resource," she said.
"I encourage everyone to scan the code and save the poster on their phone.
"Adding it to your favourites in your photo album or making it your wallpaper will ensure that you are always supported if you, or a friend, experience a crisis."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News