Media Release: Helping young Tasmanians find mental health support that fits
Whatever the Weather: Helping young Tasmanians find mental health support that fits
However you’re feeling, there is mental health support to suit you.
That is the message behind Whatever the Weather, a new pilot project launched by the Mental Health Council of Tasmania to help young people better understand their mental health needs and know when and where to start looking for support. The pilot is supported by funding from the Tasmanian Government.
Officially launched in Hobart on Friday, Whatever the Weather uses the familiar idea of changing weather to create a shared language for talking about mental health. The 12-month statewide pilot is aimed at young people aged 15–24 and includes a website, videos, posters, brochures and other digital and printed resources.
Mental Health Council of Tasmania CEO Dan Vautin said the project was shaped through consultation and co-design with young people, parents, carers, service providers and other stakeholders.
“This project has been built around what young people and the people supporting them told us they need. They told us mental health information can feel confusing, clinical or difficult to navigate, particularly when someone is already unsure about what they are experiencing,” Mr Vautin said.
“Whatever the Weather uses simple, everyday language to make it easier for young people, families and practitioners to talk about what someone is experiencing and what kind of support may be appropriate.”
Charlotte Loring, who is part of the youth co-design group, said the weather metaphor helped make mental health easier to understand.
“Mental health can change from one day to the next, or even within the same day, a bit like Tasmanian weather. This gives young people a simple way to talk about how they’re feeling and what support might help,” Ms Loring said.
MHCT is now seeking GP clinics and mental health practitioners to help adopt and embed the language in practice, supporting clearer and more consistent conversations with young people whenever and wherever they reach out for help.
Visit www.whatevertheweather.org.au for more information.
