The team at Positive Living Skills are moving one step closer to their vision, to see the growing statistics around depression drastically reduce, with the launch of their Positive Living Skills Early Childhood Wellbeing Program in Parkes and Forbes. The program, which is supported by Northparkes Mines, is the brainchild behind local Parkes resident Catherine Shaw, who knows what mental health problems can do to communities.
“We have all heard about the rising rate of suicide, particularly in rural NSW, and we all know someone who has lost a loved one to such a tragedy’, she said; “Mental health problems do not discriminate, and people of all ages and backgrounds are at real risk. When I experienced my own struggles and went looking for help, I found these practical Positive Living skills in my late 40’s.
My immediate thought was; why don’t they teach this in schools? And so this journey began.” “People in rural NSW communities or anywhere in Australia for that matter can be reluctant to put their hands up for help, no matter how many times it is suggested to them. That’s why emotional intelligence must be taught in every classroom in every corner of the country.”
Local psychologist Carly Fisher has also seen the benefits of the Positive Living skills program. ‘I am extremely happy to support the work that Cath and her team at Positive Living Skills are implementing via the Positive Living Skills program. I have seen firsthand through my clients the positive effects that have been achieved via the initial pilot studies here in the Parkes community, and I look forward to seeing this program reach broader communities.”
As part of the latest round of funding supported by the NorthParkes Mines Community Investment Program, the Forbes Learning Ladder and Nurture One Victoria Street Children’s Centre in Parkes will be the first in the area to get the opportunity to share the learning and resources with the children they serve and their families.
For more details about Positive Living Skills visit them online at www.positivelivingskills.com and click on the Family Link page.