PODCASTS & VIDEOS
Enough
Warning: This episode discusses self-harm, suicide and sexual assault.
Alex, who is transgender, experienced depression and suicidal thoughts from the age of 11. But socially transitioning in Year 8 - with the support of his parents and school - marked a turning point in his mental health. Jack’s parents were delighted when he came out as gay but a horrible incident triggered a dark depressive episode. And Emily struggled with cultural expectations as she figured out her sexuality.
Research shows that a disproportionate number of LBGTQI+ youth experience mental health issues. This is directly related to experiences of stigma, prejudice, discrimination and abuse on the basis of being queer.
Emily, Alex and Jack talk about their mental health and the importance of acceptance from family and community.
Support for LGBTQI+ youth, their families and carers is available. Call QLife on 1800 184 527 3pm to midnight every day.
Support is also available from Beyond Blue at beyondblue.org.au or on 1300 224 636. For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 131 114.
You can also contact Headspace at headspace.org.au or on 1800 650 890, the Head to Health mental health service on 1800 595 212 and Kids Helpline at kidshelpline.com.au or on 1800 55 1800.
Enough is brought to you by The Age & Sydney Morning Herald.
ORYGEN mental health federal election 2022
In the lead up to the 2022 Federal Election, Orygen asked its Executive Director, young people and political party representatives what they saw as the key issues and opportunities in youth mental health.
The Informed
Episode Description:
CW: Just a heads up, we talk about self-harm, suicidal thoughts and behaviours and transphobia in this episode. If this has created any distress for you please see below for resources and where you can access help.
Welcome to Facing It, we’re so glad you’re here!
On today’s episode we had the pleasure of a chat with Alex Dalton. Alex is an incredible young man (yes, he’s 17!) from Victoria who is completing his final years of high school. Alex is also a passionate mental health advocate in both his local and global communities; telling his story in the hope of educating others and helping other young transgender people who come after him.
In this episode we speak about Alex’s mental ill-health journey: starting at the incredibly young age of 11 when he first experienced self-loathing and negative self-talk, continuing through his early high school years and experiencing suicidality and into his plans for the future and how he is going to change the opportunities and experiences transgender youth have.
Alex was so real and raw with us, talking about topics that are so often taboo or considered tricky - he was eloquent and articulate beyond his years. In this episode we talk about self-harm, suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and transphobia. If you or someone you love needs help or further advice please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or QLife on 1800 184 527.
The Young and The Restless
Hosted by two young people, Samuel and Zoe, the webinar will take the form of a panel discussion with five other young people each with their own lived experience of suicide.
‘Lived experience’ in suicide takes many forms, for example it may mean that someone has experienced a suicidal crisis or attempt of their own; it may mean they have lost someone to suicide; or it may mean that they have supported a friend or family member who has been suicidal. Whatever that experience is it plays a critical role in shaping suicide prevention now and into the future. However, whilst the suicide prevention sector has embraced the
need for people with lived experience to help shape suicide prevention, there is currently an absence of young voices, and we know that young people’s experiences and needs can be very different from those of older people.
Given that suicide rates are rising among young Australians there is an urgent need to do things differently and if we are to do this successfully we need to listen to the wants and needs of young people.
In this webinar we will explore the following questions:
What does lived experience look and feel like for young people?
What are young people’s experiences of seeking help for suicidal thoughts and behaviours; what worked well and what didn’t?
What is safe communication and advocacy in suicide prevention from the perspective of young people?
What is the role of stigma/discrimination and how might we address this?
What would young people like to see suicide prevention look like now and into the future?
We hope that the webinar will help amplify the voices of young people in suicide prevention and raise some questions about how we currently do things and how we might do them differently in the future.
Positively Empowered Kids Interview
Youth Ambassador Morgan Brame Interview with Alex Dalton around his experiences with poor mental health and navigating life being transgender.