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i see


…a place where I can trust people to listen and support me when I’m going through a tough time.


HEADSPACE: JAS’ STORY


14-YEAR-OLD JAS IS YOUR T YPICAL TEENAGER. SHE’S INTO NETBALL AND DANCE AND LOVES PLAYING TENNIS. BUT WHEN SHE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AT SCHOOL, WHAT JAS REALLY NEEDED WAS SOMEONE TO TALK TO.


That’s where headspace helped.


“I was being bullied at school quite a lot,” says Jas. “I’d go to the teachers, but they weren’t really able to help.”


It was a tough time for Jas and she wasn’t sure who to turn to.


“My mum did some research and found out that there was this new place opening in Mt Gambier called headspace – so she sent them an email.”


Run by Uniting Communities, headspace Mt Gambier provides advice, support and information for young people aged 12 to 25 on a range of issues that include mental health, education, employment, alcohol and drugs.


20 | Uniting Communities Annual Report 2016


Jas started weekly visits at headspace with youth workers Kym and Mikarla.





Each week we’d work on something – I would cut pictures out of magazines that represented something I enjoyed, and use cards to describe my feelings. We also practised some mindfulness exercises,” says Jas.


“They’d also give me ideas on how to deal with the bullying. They helped me work out responses that are respectful but also make sure the person knows they need to stop.


“We also worked on my fears – I listed all my fears in a book and rated them. Over time I made a big improvement and I am so grateful to Kym and Mikarla for helping me.”


With support from headspace, Jas says she is now in a good place.


“At the moment, I’m feeling really good. headspace has helped me a lot. The best thing is going there knowing I can trust them and talk to them about anything. They don’t judge – they just listen and they help.”


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