NT PHN has collaborated with a local mental health organisation, Flourish Collective, to host free workshops for parents to understand and support children experiencing anxiety.
The training sessions were held in Darwin last month and provided parents with the practical tools they need to build resilience and courage in their children.
With approximately 7% of Australian children between the ages of 4 and 17 affected by anxiety disorders, it is critical to ensure adequate support and resources are available to help parents manage mental health symptoms as soon as they spot them in their children.
Despite the wet weather, the workshop at the Darwin Botanic Gardens was well-attended, with nearly 60 people participating and giving great feedback. The event received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
The Flourish Collective has been providing psychological therapies in Darwin and Palmerston since 2020 and has a multidisciplinary team with expertise in various speciality fields. Its director, Rachel Johnson, has worked for over 20 years with children and young people in the mental health space.
The Flourish Collective also provides short-term therapies, which can be accessed through our Head to Health – Connect to Wellbeing service. Eligible clients can receive up to 6 free sessions and, if required, can access another 4. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access a further 6 sessions subject to a GP review.
Jace Berry, NT PHN Regional Health Partnerships Coordinator, has been working closely with Flourish Collective to identify mental health needs in the community.
“By working with service providers to deliver these workshops, we can build the resilience within our community, so they can better cope with challenges they face,” he said.
The anxiety workshops for children are part of NT PHN’s ongoing efforts to improve mental health outcomes for individuals across the Northern Territory.
Flourish Collective has recently moved to a new location in Marlow Lagoon, a new and improved space for clients and staff.
