Weighted golden Labradors, culturally inspired furnishings, an afternoon tea gathering and a $4,000 cheque welcomed the headspace Cessnock team at the start of Mental Health Month this year.
The toy animals are therapy pets, a new addition to the space already much-loved by young people that visit the Vincent Street address.
The furnishings are part of an internal upgrade designed to make spaces feel more inclusive.
The afternoon tea was a way to welcome a visit by headspace National CEO Jason Trethowan.
The cheque was a donation from the Cessnock Business Chamber.
Each element helped launch an annual month-long focus on the importance of looking after our mental health and wellbeing.
“Mental Health Month is a reminder that we each play a part in caring for the mental health of ourselves and others,” headspace Cessnock Centre Manager Aimee Prosser says.
Aimee and her team have been located at the Cessnock address for the past five years.
Sharing space with other Samaritans’ youth services has allowed the services – which, coincidentally, both have green logos - to become a “one stop shop” for young people in need.
“We’re all fighting the same fight,” Aimee says.
“We all want the same outcome.
“We want all of the young people that come in here, and their families, to feel safe and welcome.
“We want young people to feel this is where they belong and this is where they can come to seek help.”
To achieve this goal, the team thrives on support from the local community.
During a Cessnock Business Chamber R U OK? Day breakfast held in September, local business owners raised $4,000 to continue supporting headspace Cessnock in its delivery of programs for the region’s most vulnerable young people.
The support, Aimee says, is lifechanging.
Visit headspace Cessnock’s website for more information.