What can we learn from lockdowns? (Mental health panel)

Welcome to the final episode of our first series of the ‘We made it to here’ podcast. 

We started this series of episodes drawing on a panel conversation we hosted early in 2021 — which was full of advice that remains incredibly relevant — and yet, at that time we really had no idea about the twists and turns the year was still going to take including such a long period of lockdown and remote learning for our young people. What did that extended lockdown reveal to us about youth mental health and resilience? What might it teach us as we look towards whatever the future holds?

We pulled together another fantastic panel to explore these questions, and get the lowdown from people with firsthand experience walking young people through the toughest times.  

PANELISTS: 
Patrick Sharples, a clinical lead at headspace who has done a significant amount of work in the area of alcohol and other drugs, Gordon Lau AKA Gordo, an award winning GP who works at headspace Gosford one day a week, and Erin Manu, the head teacher for welfare at Gorokan High School. 

The show is primarily intended to be educational and empowering. However, as is always important with mental health conversations, if you need to pause at any point and reach out for extra support please do. You can call the NSW Mental Health Line 24 hours a day on 1800 011 511.

‘We Made it to Here’ is part of the Disaster Resilience Program, funded by the Hunter New England, and Central Coast Primary Health Network. It has been produced and delivered collaboratively by Lead by Story and headspace Gosford and Lake Haven. 

For a whole range of resources we’ve created and collated, including videos for young people, and those supporting them you can head to leadbystory.com.au/youth-resources