THE impact of psychological trauma on children and young people will be a key theme when Southern Cross University hosts a regional mental health forum on Saturday, 26 November, at the Coffs Harbour campus.

The Trauma-Informed Care for Allied Health Professionals forum, presented by the North Coast Allied Health Association, brings together clinicians from across the region to hear from experienced child and youth mental health practitioners.

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Among keynote speakers will be Southern Cross University’s Professor John Hurley, whose clinical experience and leadership in the mental health field spans more than 40 years.

Professor Hurley is also Vice-President of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses and maintains a mental health clinic through Headspace at Coffs Harbour.

He said the state of mental health on the NSW North Coast made for a disturbing picture.

Professor Hurley told News Of The Area, “There are serious challenges for young people in our region, especially children under twelve.”

Just consider the traumatic events of the recent past.

“If you are a nine-year-old child in our region, life has been defined by drought, floods, fires and Covid, along with the social dislocation and economic deprivation arising from these.

“The children and youth of our region have self-harm and suicide rates significantly above the State averages with nearly 50 percent of young people in the region simultaneously reporting difficulties accessing mental health services.

“This is often due to a lack of specialist services, as well as a lack of diversity of services.

“A whole community response is needed if we are going to address these issues,” he said.

The Forum hopes to increase the awareness of mental health problems for those Allied Health clinicians working in general practices such as Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy.

Topics covered in the forum will include identifying and understanding psychological trauma in children and youth, where to best refer them for help and to share effective clinical and interpersonal skills to achieve youth friendly practice.

“Achieving positive change is slow but our responses to trauma are improving.

“Where we as clinicians, teachers, coaches or neighbours communicate a sense of safety, respect of diversity and willingness to work collaboratively with young people on their priorities, we generate good outcomes.

“Less self-harm, less suicide and young people having more positive views about themselves are all by-products of knowing about trauma and responding to that respectfully.”

Significant funding for new services and specialised trained multi-disciplinary staff are most certainly required, Prof. Hurley urged.

“While we advocate for those, forums such as this one seek to build upon what scant resources we do have, to help the youngest members of our community.”

Other keynote speakers at the forum will be physiotherapist and early career researcher Dr Ryan McGrath, clinical psychologist Dr Alexandra Howard and Coffs Harbour GP Dr Nicola Holmes.

By Andrea FERRARI