Project 18 the wellbeing nook

22/07/2025

World Brain Day !!

Did you know there is a worldwide campaign dedicated to promoting brain health? I didn’t, until today, but now that I do, I have to share what I have learnt about it!

World Brain Day was established by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) in 2014, it’s described as a ‘global call to action for both individuals and institutions to share meaningful information and activities on brain health’.

The WFN define brain health as ‘keeping our minds sharp, resilient and active’. There is a theme every year and this year it is ‘Brain Health for all ages’, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of supporting brain health throughout every stage of life.

If you’d like to learn more about the day, the key messages from WFN or more about what it means to keep our brains healthy head to https://wfneurology.org/world-brain-day-2025

And if you are wondering why I just had to share this new discovery, well, I talk about our brains all the time with clients, in so many different contexts, how it operates, how it’s impacted, the way it grows and changes and the many many differences. So it makes sense to me that I would also want to be able to talk to them about ways that might help keep our brains health!

SO Happy World Brain Day to you all 🧠

16/07/2025

Last week, the Royal Commission released another powerful and important report "Silence and Inaction (2025)" presenting the voices of children and young people who have experienced domestic, family, and sexual violence.

Much like the "Unseen and Unheard" report published late last year by the Commissioner for Children and Young People, it sheds light on the deep and persistent gaps in our systems and services — gaps that continue to fail those who need support most – children and young people.

To every child and young person who contributed to these reports — whether through direct conversation, in writing, at the Summit or part of a broader submission — we want you to know we see you. Your courage, insight, and generosity in sharing your stories is nothing short of extraordinary. You didn’t do it for yourselves — you did it for others. For those still living in fear and being silenced. For a future where children are believed, heard, protected, and supported. Where their rights are upheld.

We hold hope that the final recommendations of the Royal Commission, due to be released next month, will center children and young people’s voices — not just in consultation, but in action. Their calls for change must be heard, honoured, and reflected in the creation of systems that are safe, accessible, and built with and for those they are meant to help. Not to action, would seriously compromise the trust of our young people.

Links to both reports below and for updates from the Royal Commission head to their website (link also below).

https://www.royalcommissiondfsv.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1167458/Silence-and-Inaction-Report-2025-Final.pdf

https://www.ccyp.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Unseen-and-Unheard-Report.pdf

https://www.royalcommissiondfsv.sa.gov.au/

11/07/2025

Giving a voice to the unheard is an important and powerful start.

It might be a difficult read but we need to know the experiences of children and young people in their own right.

The Royal Commission's report is due to be released next month.

Child victims of domestic violence have told a South Australian royal commission about being beaten, imprisoned in their own homes and made to feel "unloved", but felt ignored when they tried to disclose the abuse. Warning: This story contains content that may distress some readers.

06/07/2025

NAIDOC Week is here!

Although there is much to celebrate all year round 'NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.'

There is so much to see and do, there are activities, exhibitions, events and awards! You can check out https://www.naidoc.org.au/local-events/local-naidoc-week-events to see what is happening near you!

This year is extra special too, as it marks NAIDOC's 50th year! That's '50 years of honoring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience'. Every year there is a theme and this years is "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy" - read the wonderful write up about this at https://www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-theme

So let's get out there and participate, learn, recognise and celebrate!

Happy NAIDOC everyone ❤️🖤💛

04/07/2025

What a week!

It has been one of those really great counselling weeks.
You might be wondering—what does that actually look like?

Well, to me, as a counsellor, it can look like lots of things. But some of the true highlights of this week have been:

⭐ A client opening up and letting me see the parts of their story they usually keep hidden.
⭐ Another client chose change over feeling stuck—even when change feels scary.
⭐ Yet another started to believe they’re worth the time, effort, and care it takes to heal.
⭐ Another saw —truly saw—that the things they thought made them “too different” are actually the things that make them extraordinary.

These are the moments that stay with you.
They’re not loud or dramatic. But they’re real. And they matter.
And today, I’m just really grateful to be part of that.

Actually I am grateful everyday to be able to do what I do, but today I have decided to share that with you!

📷 A somewhat dishevelled ‘peace out’ to the week from me!

26/06/2025

New Blog!

Advocacy in Action: Why Speaking Up Is Essential especially for Vulnerable Children and Young People.

As many of you know I am as passionate about advocacy as I am about counselling, I was an advocate long before I was a therapist, and as I often say, once an advocate always an advocate.

I have worked alongside Belinda Lorek for many years, we were advocates together in child protection, we have developed and delivered an advocacy for practitioners’ workshop and we both undertake individual and systemic advocacy in various contexts in our current roles and beyond.

We believe advocacy isn’t optional—it’s essential. This is especially true for children and young people facing disadvantage, marginalisation, or harm, advocacy is often the only pathway to being seen, heard, and supported. Whether you’re fighting for the needs of one young person or striving for broader systemic change, advocacy is about more than just raising your voice—it’s about upholding rights, restoring dignity, and demanding transformation.

We've written a blog that we’d love you to read. It explores the often-overlooked power of advocacy and why we believe every person has the potential to create meaningful change by speaking up for those whose voices go unheard. Advocacy isn’t reserved for experts or loud voices — it happens every day, in small and quiet ways. It’s time we started recognising its impact and shining a light on just how vital it really is.

Why Speaking Up Is Essential | Project 18

18/06/2025

Some days you just need to walk while you talk!

Some days you need to move your body to release emotions.

Some days you need fresh air in your face while you process what it is you are feeling.

Some days you need to be in or around nature for a little grounding when things feel tough.

Some days you need the chance to observe, notice, discover things that make you feel you are part of something other than what is going on for you right now – a part of a bigger world, a different life, another way of being.

Today was one of those days and for some little adventurers Port Adelaide provides some great walking experiences, even in the cold wintery rain! There are so many cool, quirky, unusual and interesting things to discover and consider.

The result… curiosity is sparked, fears are faced and overcome, talking just happens and feelings are expressed and released.

📷 An iconic spot in the Port.

16/06/2025

What a night! ✨

On Saturday, I had the absolute pleasure of attending the Golden Gala, celebrating an incredible 50 years of supporting children and families across the country.

If you haven’t heard of Variety - the Children's Charity, they do amazing work helping children who are sick, disadvantaged, or living with disability. They make sure kids who might otherwise miss out, don’t 💛

This wasn’t just any event—I was there for a reason. A friend and I brought together a group of 30 amazing people across three tables to show our support. Why? Because I’ve recently had the chance to work directly with Variety SA… and honestly, they were incredible.

I’ve seen firsthand how their support changes lives.
🌟 Their process is straightforward, respectful, and accessible
🌟 The help they offer is real, immediate, and impactful
🌟 The difference they make for kids and their families is something special.

So, this night was about more than dressing up and hitting the dance floor (though we did a bit of that too! 🕺💃). It was about supporting those who support, being part of something meaningful, and celebrating the good that happens when kind hearts come together.

So grateful to have been part of it 💛

16/06/2025

What a night! ✨

On Saturday, I had the absolute pleasure of attending the Variety SA Golden Gala, celebrating an incredible 50 years of supporting children and families across the country.

If you haven’t heard of Variety - the Children's Charity, they do amazing work helping children who are sick, disadvantaged, or living with disability. They make sure kids who might otherwise miss out, don’t 💛

This wasn’t just any event—I was there for a reason. A friend and I brought together a group of 30 amazing people across three tables to show our support. Why? Because I’ve recently had the chance to work directly with Variety SA… and honestly, they were incredible.

I’ve seen firsthand how their support changes lives.
🌟 Their process is straightforward, respectful, and accessible
🌟 The help they offer is real, immediate, and impactful
🌟 The difference they make for kids and their families is something special.

So, this night was about more than dressing up and hitting the dance floor (though we did a bit of that too! 🕺💃). It was about supporting those who support, being part of something meaningful, and celebrating the good that happens when kind hearts come together.

So grateful to have been part of it 💛

10/06/2025

Happy International Day of Play!

Now in its second year, today is a worldwide celebration of the power of play. It’s a day to recognise that play is central to every child’s development and well-being – and promote a collective responsibility to ensure every child can realise their “right” to play.

This year’s theme, “Choose Play – Every Day,” is a powerful reminder for everyone – from governments and businesses to schools and families – to prioritise play in our daily decisions. Because play isn’t just fun - it’s essential.

We know that through play, children learn to build connections with others and develop social skills. Play provides opportunities to be brave, take risks and overcome fears. We also know that play helps children develop problem solving skills, adaptability and resilience. Play is also how children explore their creativity and self-expression. In a world that’s constantly changing these skills are essential.

Play is just as important for adults too though. While it may look a little different, the core elements of play – voluntary, creative, and joyful engagement – remains crucial. Research shows that play contributes to cognitive flexibility, neuroplasticity, stress reduction, and emotional wellbeing. Play, in short, helps us thrive.

There is increasing recognition of the mental health benefits too. More and more, therapists are embracing play as a powerful tool for exploration, expression, and healing — not just for children, but for people of all ages. This shift is reflected in the growing use of creative, play-based modalities, which are proving to be both effective and inclusive across diverse needs and backgrounds.

As a counsellor, I regularly incorporate playful activities, interactive elements and games in my sessions with children and young people. While I’m not a play or art therapist, I deeply value the role of play in:
• Building rapport
• Encouraging expression
• Supporting emotional exploration
• Promoting release and regulation

Play opens up new pathways – not just for engagement, but for transformation.

If you’d like to learn more here’s some links to get you started:
Why is play important for child development?
The Value Of Play – Aussie Childcare Network
Press Play: Activating Young People's Health and Wellbeing Through Play (PDF)

📷 Shared with permission.

03/06/2025

Emergency: The Long Wait for Help.
That was the headline of last night’s Four Corners program—did you see it?

The episode explored the growing crisis in New South Wales’ mental health system, sharing the experiences of frontline workers and psychiatrists speaking about the significant issues they’re facing - the challenges they raised are familiar across the country.

Here in South Australia, we’re also seeing these struggles. You just need to read the Chief Psychiatrist’s Report on the Unmet Needs on Pyschosocial Supports which revealed the substantial number of South Australians living with significant mental health concerns who aren’t receiving the support they need. You can read the report here: https://mhcsa.org.au/south-australians-mental-health-unmet-need/

The Four Corners program referred to what has been called the “missing middle”—a group described by Orygen as people whose needs are too complex for primary care but not acute enough for hospital-based services. Many have sought help, but what they received wasn’t enough—too short-term, too rigid, or not the right kind of care.

Now I wonder, how many of those amongst the “missing middle” are young people? How many are children? I’m sure we could find those numbers—but more importantly, for me anyway, I feel we need to listen to what young people are telling us. As someone who works directly with children and young people, I hear their experiences firsthand.

What they’re asking for isn’t unreasonable. They want support that is consistent, built on trust, and tailored to their needs. They’ve told me:
• Waitlists are too long and session limits are problematic.
• Relationships matter— connection that ends abruptly can feel more harmful than helpful.
• Comfort, flexibility, and choice go a long way.
• Face-to-face support is often preferred.
• Paperwork-heavy processes can feel impersonal and disconnected.

So, where do we go from here?

More funding is important—but it’s not just about doing more of the same. We need to reimagine how mental health support is delivered: more flexible, more relational, more person-centred. For some, a mix of counselling, mentoring, and even community-based supports that help engage with sport or creative activities could make a real difference.

These are not quick fixes, and there’s no single solution. But if we truly listen to the voices of young people, we’ll be better placed to design services that work—not just in theory, but in practice.

We have both an opportunity and a responsibility to ensure no child or young person is left without the support they need. Let’s find ways to come together to build a mental health system that meets people where they are, stays with them for as long as they need, and responds in ways that truly reflect their lives and experiences.

Further reading: https://www.orygen.org.au/Orygen-Institute/Policy-Areas/Government-policy-service-delivery-and-workforce/Service-delivery/Defining-the-missing-middle/orygen-defining-the-missing-middle-pdf?ext

https://www.preventivehealth.sa.gov.au/evidence-data/explore-and-request-data/wellbeing-index

https://dhs.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/179144/DHS-SA-Youth-Action-Plan-2025-2028.pdf

Four Corners is the home of Australian investigative journalism.