Mental Health support is available for young people affected by floods
Centacare Murray Bridge’s family mental health team is ready to help young people who are experiencing mental health issues.
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As water levels along the River Murray recede, Centacare staff anticipate that more children and young people will need help with anxiety and depression.
Centacare Murray Bridge manager Mark Draper said that the floods may cause particular mental health issues in children and young people.
“It could be anxiety and depression from property loss, the loss of animals – whether pets or livestock – or the pressures of the loss of employment due to the floods,” Mr Draper said.
“We’re here for the young people affected, and anything we can do we will,” he said.
Centacare Murray Bridge offer an early-intervention mental health program, the Supporting Youth and Children (SCY) program.
Through a therapeutic, non-clinical approach, the SCY program supports young people either in school-based settings or an office-based setting.
The support can be short-term or longer, with referrals given to specialised services if needed.
The Department of Social Services funds the SCY program, which is free to all children or young people who access it.
Either the young people themselves or their parents, teachers, GPs and so on can refer the young person suffering.
The SCY program is also available to children and young people across a large geographical area.
“We service from here to Meningie, through to Pinaroo and the Riverland, down to Callington and up to here at Murray Bridge,” Mr Draper said.
- Get help: Contact Centacare on 8215 6320 and ask for the SCY team – Mark, Courtney, Morgan and Chloe – to discuss a referral and potential support, or visit centacare.org.au for more information. General mental health support for people aged 12-25 is also available at Headspace Murray Bridge; visit headspace.org.au for more information.
- Read more: Murray Bridge flood watch
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