Yarn Safe Campaign

headspace Berri along with Glossop High School and headspace National provided a fun and interactive event to acknowledge six of our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) young people, who participated in a photo shoot for the Riverland Yarn Safe national campaign.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people suffer a disproportionate burden of disease for mental health disorders. headspace recognises that to make a positive contribution in youth mental health a targeted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander campaign is needed. Having local Riverland young people involved in the campaign promotes recognition of the local ATSI community and supports inclusivity.

headspace Berri along with the Glossop High School held a private event at the senior campus to celebrate the achievements of the 6 Riverland young people involved in the campaign.

The national headspace Yarn Safe campaign has seen a dramatic 32 per cent increase in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people accessing headspace centres in the 12 months since the campaign launched. In the 12 months since the campaign launch, the proportion of young people receiving services at headspace centres who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander increased from 7.7 per cent to 8 per cent. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 12-25 represent 4 per cent of the Australian population.

Edward, 24 from Berri, Latanya 14 and Nadine and Jayden both 13 from Barmera, feature on Yarn Safe posters and postcards being distributed around Australia to tell Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people there’s no shame in talking about problems affecting their mental health and wellbeing. 

headspace Berri centre manager, Kerril Vowles said “the campaign helped to remove the barriers stopping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people accessing support when they are going through a tough time”

“headspace Berri has seen an increase in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people visiting our centre since Yarn Safe was launched last September. This is extremely pleasing but we know that there is a lot more to be done and we are committed to continuing this important work” Mrs Vowles said.

The Yarn Safe concept and campaign was developed with a group of 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people from across Australia, and we are excited to now have Riverland young people involved.

Photo 2Photo 3Photo 4Photo 5Photo 6Photo 7Photo 8Photo 9Photo 10