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14 JULY, 2021
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Calling all LEGO fans
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Nine year-old LEGO enthusiast Vihaan is one of the many youngsters looking forward to this year’s Wyndham Brickfest. The annual event will return to Pacific Werribee on September 18 and 19, to raise funds for the paediatric ward at Werribee Mercy Hospital. Competition categories will include primary school and under, secondary school and adult. Schools are being encouraged to enter the engineering competition. Vihaan, pictured, won a junior prize at the 2019 Wyndham Brickfest and last year when the competition moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has won several other LEGO competitions this year and displayed his LEGO creations at fundraising events. He also has a YouTube channel and Facebook page, showcasing his large-scale LEGO builds including models of the London Bridge and the Taj Mahal. “What I enjoy most about LEGO is smashing it up and rebuilding it,” he said. Details: https://www.facebook. com/wyndhambrickfest/ or email wyndhambrickfest@gmail.com Alesha Capone
Youth mental health crisis By Alesha Capone Wyndham health professionals are concerned about a “mini-epidemic” of youth mental health problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes as 10 well-known Wyndham residents prepare to pull on their dancing shoes with the aim of raising $100,000 to help the Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA) develop a school program to boost mental health and reduce suicide among students. Director and paediatrician at the Western Specialist Centre in Werribee and St Albans, Dr Raj Khillan, is among those taking part in the Werribee Mazda Dance Stars on the Floor.
Dr Khillan said that youth mental health “has not been in good shape since last year”, and had become worse in the past five to six months. He said many young people were developing anxiety or depression, or refusing to return to the classroom due to underlying issues such as bullying. Dr Khillan said parents have reported children showing signs of panic while being driven to school. Some youngsters with autism, who did not cope well with change, displayed aggression when returning to school after months of home study. He said it was important for parents to
seek help for children struggling with mental health sooner rather than later, but families were facing long waiting lists, sometimes of up to six months, to get psychological help or counselling for children. “It is very intense and frustrating for parents who want to get help for their children but can’t find anywhere,” he said. Werribee GP Dr Joe Garra said there was “delays, delays, delays” for young people needing mental health assistance. “Trying to get help for kids, even if you have private health insurance, is tough,” he said. “There is definitely a lot of kids wanting help and definitely a lack of services.”
MHFA vice-chairperson Jim Goodin said youth mental health issues were “severe in Wyndham”. “The anxiety and build-up that’s occurring now, we expect to see a build-up in the not-too-distant future of suicide – not just of youth, but everyone,” he said. The Werribee Mazda Dance Stars on the Floor will be held 7pm on Friday, August 6 at the Encore Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing. Tickets: $25 to $35. Bookings: 0400 533 371, heathermarcus@bigpond.com.au. For help contact MHFA helpline 1300 643 287; Lifeline 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au; Headspace 1800 650 890 or www.headspace.org.au
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