On July 10, the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre hosted “It Takes a Village to Tackle Teen Mental Health,” featuring motivational speaker Jules Allen.
Organised by the Office for Regional Youth and Cessnock City Council, the event provided tools for parents, teachers, and community members to support youth mental health in Cessnock.
Dan Brown, Regional Youth Community Coordinator, highlighted the unique challenges faced by regional youth, noting, “In regional NSW, young people encounter additional barriers and challenges.”
Beyond Blue confirms that limited access to mental health services can delay the identification and treatment of issues in these areas.
With 28 years of experience, Jules Allen addressed misconceptions about attention-seeking behaviour, explaining, “If a young person is seeking attention, it is usually because they need attention. The way they’re going about it doesn’t matter.”
She cautioned against dismissing such behaviours: “If we label their behaviour as ‘just attention-seeking’ and ignore them, where are they left to go?”
Jules emphasised the growing issue of anxiety among youth and stressed the importance of recognising early symptoms such as physical tension, persistent worrying, and avoidance behaviours.
She discussed the evidence-based concept of neuroplasticity, conveying hope; “By building neural pathways that promote calmness and confidence, you give your brain an alternative response to anxiety.”
Headspace supports this approach with various tools that help identify and modify harmful thought patterns, and manage anxiety through holistic self-care practices, open discussions about feelings, and practical coping strategies like relaxation techniques and controlled breathing.
“If you treat a young person as if they’re broken, you will end up with someone who is broken. If you treat them as worthy of being met, you’ll end up with a young person worthy of being met.” She concluded with a poignant reminder, “Our young people need love the most when they appear to deserve it the least.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please seek help. Visit Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636, Lifeline at 13 11 14, or Headspace for resources and support.
