As part of its contribution to the Hawaiian Ride for Youth 2021, WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) has published a series of webinars that explore the physical, emotional and social impacts of COVID-19 both now, and into the future.
The five webinars of Beyond the Pandemic aired in November and December, with proceeds from ticket sales going to support youth mental health.
Mental health is a key focus for WAPHA with about 60 per cent of our funding dedicated to mental health programs that promote early intervention to reduce the impact and escalation of mental illness
Hosted by multi-award winning producer and broadcaster, Dr Norman Swan, and featuring national experts on COVID-19, the webinars cover the topics:
- The health systems’ support to COVID ‘long haulers’
- The long-term implications the COVID has for Australia’s older people
- Preparing for the biggest immunisation program in Australia’s history
- COVID and Australia’s mental health – dealing with the symptoms that we will not have a vaccine for
- The pandemic that will shape a generation; how do we support our children and young people to be part of the conversation?
The idea for the series stemmed from WAPHA’s team for the Hawaiian Ride for Youth 2021.
Comprising of Learne Durrington, Mark Cockayne, Rob Salvage and Giles Nunis, the team are set to cycle from Albany to Perth in March – an epic 700-kilometre journey.
Along the way they will stop at high schools to talk to students about depression, self-harm and suicide, and the support services that are available to them.
Youth suicide in Australia is increasing, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, with the rates of youth suicide in regional Western Australia now equal to or greater than the state’s average.
It’s for this reason that Mark Cockayne, General Manager Commissioned Services, is riding.
“The issue of youth mental health and youth suicide is about one of the most important issues currently facing our community,” he said.
“The ride is an opportunity to raise awareness, engage with community leaders, and contribute towards the funding of community support for young people.”
Now in its 19th year, the annual ride has raised more than $24 million since its inception for youth mental health services.
As this webinar series was created to support youth mental health, those who find it useful should consider donating to the WAPHA team.