Family conflict major cause of youth depression THE number of young people committing suicide in Frankston and on the peninsula is causing alarm. The state government has announced funding for the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network to deliver the Lived Experience project designed to “help reduce stigma and promote help-seeking in the Frankston, Mornington Peninsula and Dandenong regions”. Roses in the Ocean, an organisation supporting those with lived experiences of suicide, will provide training and mentoring to help people talk about suicide. A 2012 study by Communities that Care commissioned by Mornington Peninsula Shire revealed an estimated 25.5 per cent of students in years seven, nine and 11 with “depressive symptoms”. “The prevalence of students with depressive symptoms, at each year level, appears to have remained stable over the 10-year period since 2002,” family services and community planning manager Louise Wilkins said. “In 2014 Deakin University examined which factors were related to depression symptoms, and what factors would produce the biggest change on depressive symptoms in the shire. Multivariate modelling demonstrated that family conflict was a risk factor that was associated with the greatest odds of depressive symptoms.” Ms Wilkins said modelling blamed family conflict for increasing the chances of depressive symptoms by 70 per cent. Other reasons for depression are seen as being life events; loneliness; loss and grief; bullying; alcohol and drug use; low self esteem and body image; discrimination; and physical health problems. In Hastings and Mornington families have recently attended movie nights (Shed 11 Youth Centre in Hastings and The Corner Youth Centre in Mornington) and discussed the shire’s Take the Pledge campaign. The “pledge” encourages families to focus on positive and clear communication, spending quality time with loved ones and making their homes more harmonious to reduce family conflict. Taking the pledge can include such activities as eating one meal together as a family each week or attending a child’s sporting event each week. Pledge cards are online at mornpen.vic.gov.au/ctc. For details about youth support on the peninsula call 5950 1666 or mpys@mornpen.vic.gov.au. Advice and help is also available from Headspace Frankston, Mentis Assist and Peninsula Health. For crisis support and counselling call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the suicide call back service on 1300 659 467. Keith Platt
Citizen science THE role that citizen science can play in protecting the environment will be fully explained during a “geo-ecology” tour of the Coolart Wetlands and Homestead, Somers. The 10am-4pm "Science in the Park: Wildlife Counts" tour on Sunday 13 August is part of National Science Week. “One of the most important things in managing our parks is research and monitoring – to understand what we have and how we are going to protect it,” Coolart ranger Jenny Thomas said. “Gathering this information can not only be done by professional scientists but also the community using citizen science, [and the tour] will be a chance for people to see how science is used in our parks and how they can be involved.” Oranisations involved in wildlife counts tour are Swinburne University of Technology’s PrimeSCI!, Parks Victoria, Western Port Biosphere, Birdlife Mornington Peninsula, the Platypus Education Group, Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, Victorian National Parks Association and the Friends of Coolart. The organisations will provide science presentations and handson science activities in the Coolart wetlands. Ian Temby, author of Wild Neighbours, will be a key speaker.
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PICTURE DETAILS: The Bhatia family has taken the pledge at the recent family movie night at The Corner Youth Centre, Mornington. Picture: Supplied
CHAPLAIN David and Bev Parker will speak and sing about their faith 10am 21 August at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Dromana (opposite the IGA). The Rev Liz Lloyd will speak about her trips to India, projects and work done in orphanages, schools and hospitals. All welcome. Call 0427 335 575.
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Mornington News 8 August 2017
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