Little Blue Book to help Fraser Coast youth

The mental wellbeing of Fraser Coast students will be given a boost with the release of the Little Blue Book.

Launched by Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien and Fraser Coast Regional Council Mayor, George Seymour, the Little Blue Book is a positive, helpful guide connecting young with mental health services.

“The book is a quick-reference guide that will help young understand their feelings and provides them with information about mental health services,” Mr O’Brien said.

“It’s normal to experience a range of feelings and sometimes people need some extra help to manage emotions and challenges.”

Data from 2018 indicates that 30.9% of young people aged between 15 and 19 years had personal concerns about mental health and were extremely or very concerned about mental health.

“The Little Blue Book was created to boost mental health and suicide prevention resources available for young people on the Fraser Coast,” Mayor George Seymour said.

“The book is aimed at children and young adults aged between 12 and 25 years.

“Its release is very timely as we work though huge changes to our lives brought on by the Coronavirus.

“We know from medical services that young people are feeling stressed and concerned by the changes implemented to slow the spread of the virus, especially the changes to their school and social lives.

“It will be a great resource for those experiencing mental health challenges, or have friends they’re concerned about.”

Mr O’Brien said it was important for everyone to look after their mental health, particularly with so many challenging events taking place at the moment that are beyond anyone’s control.

“The Little Blue Book is an easy read that will help young people to access services and support, and I encourage them and their parents to grab a copy,” he said.

The Little Blue Book was developed through a partnership between Fraser Coast Regional Council and the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service and printed with support from the Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, the Barounis Family, the Rotary Clubs of Maryborough Sunrise and Maryborough City and the Maryborough-Hospital Lobby Group.

The Little Blue Book will be available to young people, school teachers, guidance officers, school-based youth health nurses, chaplains, community service agencies and practitioners.

It is available online at https://issuu.com/frasercoastcommunitydev/docs/the_little_blue_book

Hard copies can be ordered from the Council website www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/community-resources-page/community-resources-1 and from Mr O’Brien’s office www.llewobrien.com.au