THE word “roar” conjures up images of being fierce and ferocious.
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For the Intereach family and mental health support service that is precisely how it wants young people and children to feel.
The organisation is now offering a free program titled ROAR, standing for Reach Out and Relax.
ROAR is a new initiative which aims to improve the emotional health and wellbeing of children from birth to 18 years.
It provides early intervention support to these young people and their families, with the aim of assisting them if they are showing early signs of, or are at risk of, developing a mental health issue.
Intereach works with people in their home, school or any place they feel safe.
Everything is confidential and a formal diagnosis of a mental health illness is not required.
Child youth and family worker Sonia Skewes said research was showing early intervention helped people learn better coping skills to deal with life as they grow up.
Mrs Skewes and fellow child youth and family worker Vickie Wigg have been delivering a school holiday program for young people at the Leeton Community Op Shop as part of the program.
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“We’re doing school holiday groups and we’re collaborating with other organisations to reach out to the community,” Ms Skewes said.
“These activities are about promoting the program and what it’s about, so families can feel comfortable to reach out to us for help.”
Fun activities were the aim at the op shop, including craft, chatting and more.
ROAR aims to help in several ways through short-term immediate assistance; intensive, long-term and early intervention case management support.
Mental health education and helping adopt coping mechanisms are also part of the service.
“There’s a huge demand,” Mrs Wigg said.
“Many schools have approached us to do group work as well which is great.
“Mental health is just as important as literacy and numeracy and more and more people are coming to realise that now.”
ROAR is offered throughout the MIA and wider region in places such as Leeton, Griffith, Hay, Carrathool, Jerilderie, Murrumbidgee shire , West Wyalong and more.
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