headspace music program hits right note for mental health

It is Mental Health Month and headspace Lismore and Tweed teams are emphasising the importance of seeking support, saying it may look different to what people think.

headspace Senior Manager, Sim Balzer, says nowadays mental health support can take many varied forms.

“It can be creative, or active; in groups with peers, or it can be one-on-one and from the comfort of your bedroom. The great thing is, we can connect young people with the support style that works for them,” Balzer said.

Wednesday 9 October is National headspace Day and this year’s theme, “Pause. Refect. Reconnect.”, encourages young people to fnd balance amidst life’s challenges by reconnecting to things that bring them joy. If that thing is music or flmmaking, then headspace Lismore have some programs for you.

Level 3 Music Studio

The Level 3 Music Studio is delivered by headspace Group Facilitator, Vincent McManus, better known as Vinnie. Passionate about the therapeutic benefts of music, Vinnie supports more than 30 young people a year through his music studio.

“Music not only allows young people to engage in creative expression, but it also helps them to defne who they are and their place in the world and can bring about a wonderful sense of confdence and achievement”, Vinnie said.

“I believe the creative process is a powerful therapeutic avenue for young people to explore. And if some young artists want to fnd a pathway into the music industry, I can help them along their way,” Vinnie said.

Vinnie has assisted young musicians to enter national songwriting competitions, fnd paid performing gigs and record their music, as well as helping young actors with showreels and understanding what it takes to work in the flm industry through his other group, the flmmakers Media Hub.

To connect with these groups young people frst sign up to headspace support and meet with a member of our intake and access team.

“Often what’s been happening is, people fnd out about Music Studio and how awesome it is, and then sign up to headspace so they can access it,” Vinnie said.

“Before signing up many don’t realise they get access to a counsellor completely free. And they may not have considered doing those sessions before. It is this wrap around support that can be so effective.”

“When you pull off a good song with someone who was feeling quite broken, and you create something so beautiful… it is wonderful. You watch them grow this confdence in themselves,” Vinnie said.

Local Lismore singer songwriter Mia French has been part of the Level 3 Music Program and supported by headspace for several years and says it is helpful to fnd someone to talk to and who listens and understands.

“And then I found out there was a music studio program which was crazy! And just perfect for me,” Mia said.

“I was able to record and produce my own original songs in a professional little studio, which was an amazing opportunity and something I had never had the chance to do before.

“I got to collaborate with other musicians, make new friends and even perform live gigs.

“I can honestly say that the support from the people and programs at headspace have really helped me fnd a stronger sense of what I can actually achieve,” Mia said.

Film, art and fresh fruits groups If music isn’t your thing, there are other activities and groups to access including arts, games, Fresh Fruits LGBTIQSB+ group and of course, the flm group, Media Hub.

“With the Media Hub, what I love seeing is the peer support,” Vinnie says. “When someone comes in and they’re talking about their stuff and someone else in the group says, ‘you know, I’ve been there, you should try this…this is what I’ve done’.

“There’s an incredible sharing of real information, and I love that. It is group members saying, “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

Youth mental health from the view of a young person

Sam Baynham is a member of headspace Lismore’s Young Peoples’ Advisory Committee (YPAC) and says there are still multiple barriers to young people seeking support for their mental health including transport access issues, stigmatisation, and cost of living pressures.

“The constant comparison where you are told there are people who are worse off - it’s a barrier to seeking support, it invalidates your experience. That stops a lot of people from seeking help, they think ‘there are people who need it more than me’, or ‘my issues aren’t enough,’” Sam said. “The cost of everything is a barrier also. Even just getting into a GP to get a care plan made up is diffcult.”

When asked about some of the key challenges facing young people Sam said the impacts of the pandemic and food are still lingering.

“They are still having a big ripple effect on young people’s mental health, and I think this will be around for quite a long time yet.”

“Defnitely over the past couple of years the main challenges have been cost of living, cost of housing, food security and climate change – the worry is a big weight. Especially after Covid and the foods – at some point it all intertwines with one another.”

“I think social media is a big issue also, especially stuff like Snapchat and TikTok. Cos’ you know, people just post little snippets of the good parts of their lives. And there’s a lot of comparing that goes on in social media. A lot of it is false stuff, it can be damaging.”

“There’s no escape