Tackling the tough issues for youth (CSU program)

An educational program designed to assist local communities in dealing with confronting issues for young people is being rolled out across large parts of regional NSW by Charles Sturt University (CSU). Developed in regional Queensland by solicitor Mr Adair Donaldson, CSU last year secured the first licence in NSW to roll out the Putting Youth in the Picture program across the local government areas in its regions. “This program is about empowering local communities through their local councils, school or sporting groups to use the program’s resources to hopefully prevent their young people from getting into difficulties,” said Manager of Residential Operations at CSU, Mr Peter Bell. http://news.csu.edu.au/director/latestnews.cfm?itemID=04F0A2E7D30A7620A909AD8010DF302B&printtemplate=release

Health services focus on mental health

Mental health is being put in the spotlight this week, yesterday the Deputy Premier Steve Kons launched mental Health week, saying that where once mental illness was associated with stigma, secrecy and shame, mental health is now clearly regarded as everybody's business.Tasmania has the unfortunate honour of having Australia's second highest rate of suicide per head of population, and apparently it's the rural, and isolated nature of the state that's a significant contributor.Mental health is being put in the spotlight this week, yesterday the Deputy Premier Steve Kons launched mental Health week, saying that where once mental illness was associated with stigma, secrecy and shame, mental health is now clearly regarded as everybody's business.Tasmania has the unfortunate honour of having Australia's second highest rate of suicide per head of population, and apparently it's the rural, and isolated nature of the state that's a significant contributor.