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Hi <<First Name>>,

Winter is here! A great time to rug up, get outside for a walk, garden, or sleep in a little longer where you can.

Parents Supporting Parents Something beautiful keeps on growing in our WhatsApp chats, on our walks and the growing Kayak group. Parents are sharing knowledge, kindness and wisdom on everything from alternative education options to finding the right psychiatrist. And the way our community wraps around new members is something goosebumpy special. If you’re new here, welcome. You’re not alone. And if you ever need support, just ask. The WhatsApp group is there for the quick moments and the walks are there for the deeper ones.  Request to join the EPIC WhatsApp Community here.

Back Parents. Back Youth Mental Health. Help Us Spread the Word! We now have 26 responses (thank you!) in and what people are sharing is moving and important. Parents are talking about how isolating this journey can be, how much peer support has meant to them, and what a difference it makes to finally feel heard and understood. Every new response adds to that story. If you know another parent group or school community who would benefit from sharing, please pass the survey on. It matters. Take the survey here

Thank You to SNHN.  I had the privilege of attending a three day Collaborative Change Lab with Sydney North Health Network that was worth every minute.  Being in a space where lived experience voices and providers were designing something together felt hopeful and real. I came home with new friendships, new energy and a stronger sense that our families will have a real voice in shaping the services that support them.

Free Training Coming Your Way! Thanks to the wonderful support of Willoughby Council, EPIC will be running two free Youth Mental Health First Aid sessions for parents. This training is fabulous for all parents. Stay tuned for dates coming in the next few weeks!

We hope to see you at the Hornsby Park Walk on 7 June! Register here 💚

Best wishes,

Mads & the EPIC Team 🧡💚💙

UPCOMING EPIC EVENTS:

COMMUNITY EVENTS, INFORMATION AND SUPPORT:

FOR PARENTS/ADULTS:

EPIC Support:  Walks, Resources, EPIC website and so much more!!

Free Accidental Counsellor Training, facilitated by Lifeline, at Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club - for local community organisations (incl EPIC volunteers/helpers).

Session 1, Tuesday, 2 June | 2:00pm – 6:00pm, book here.

Session 2, Wednesday, 8 July | 9:00am – 1:00pm, book here.

Proveda Parent Support Program for parents and guardians navigating challenges.  The program is for parents or guardians of childrena nd young adults aged 12-21 who are experiencing challenges such as major life transition, drug and/or alcohol addiction, school refusal, a recent health diagnosis , or a noticeable shift in behaviours. Learn more and meet the team here. 

Supporting Young People Around Alcohol & Other Drugs Webinar, Tuesday 23 June, 7pm, for parents & carers.  A practical and supportive online session to help parents and carers feel more confident having conversations about alcohol, vaping and other drugs with their young person, and understanding where to access support. More here.

Empowering Families Webinars:

• Parenting a Screenager: Learn practical strategies to manage screen time, set boundaries, and understand the digital world your teenager lives in.
  In-person – Dee Why RSL:  Tuesday 30 June, 6.30pm -8pm
  Online: Thursday 16 July, 12.30pm -2pm
  Online: Wednesday 22 July, 6.30pm -8pm
  Register here:

• The Power of Connection: More Than Words: Discover how to strengthen your relationship with your teen and keep the lines of communication open, even when they seem to pull away.
  In-person – Dee Why RSL:  Tuesday 23 June, 6.30pm -8pm
  Online: Friday 17 July, 12.30pm -2pm
  Online: Thursday 23 July, 6.30pm -8pm
  Register here

• Emotional Regulation – Feelings Without the Fireworks: Equip yourself with tools to understand adolescent brain development and de-escalate high-tension emotional moments at home.
  Online: Wednesday 8 July, 12.30pm – 2pm
  In-person – Dee Why RSL: Tuesday 14 July, 6.30pm-8pm
  Online: Tuesday 21 July, 6.30pm -8pm
  Register here

eSafety upcoming free webinars:
How AI is influencing new online risks for children and young people
Suitable for parents and carers of young people in primary and secondary school.
Navigating screen time: tools for today's families
Suitable for parents and carers of young people in primary and lower secondary school.
The trust trap: navigating friendships, pressure and manipulation online
Suitable for parents and carers of young people 13+ in secondary school.

As We Wait is a research study by Flinders University and the Institute for Mental Health & Wellbeing.  The study wants to understand your experience as a parent/carer of waiting for your adolescent's (13-17yrs) mental healthcare to begin. Your thoughts will help them find ways to support caregivers during this time.  You are invited to do a 30-minute online survey that asks about your needs and wants during the wait period.  You will receive a $20 e-gift voucher for completing the survey, sent within one week of participation (if responses pass the credibility checks).  More here.

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE:

Ku-Ring-Gai events team is seeking young musicians/buskers who would be interested in busking to celebrate “Make Music Day” on Sunday 21 June, 11am-2pm, Wahroonga Park Rotunda.  If you’re interested, please reah out to the events team here: events@krg.nsw.gov.au to get more details.

Northern Beaches KALOF Newsletter with events, resources and information for young people.  Read the newsletter here.

Project Rockit - Have you got the spark to make positive social change?  Do you want access to paid opportunities to do good in the world?  Do you have a project or idea that needs connections to get it started?  Join the network of 1000s of young people (12-25) to be informed of opportunities to help build a world where kindness and respect thrive. More here.

Youthsafe - Learner Driver Licence support.  Free support from Youthsafe, a Government-approved Driver Licensing Access Provider to provide disadvantaged people with help gain their Learner licence and complimenatry access to professional driving lessons up to the value of $150.  More here.

Safe Haven. An alternative to the Emergency Department for young people (12-17yrs) feeling overwhelmed or experiencing suicidal distress. Mon-Sun, 4-8pm.  Brookvale and North Ryde.  More here.

Awesome Local Council Youth Programs:

• Ku-ring-gai Council Youth programs information here.

• Lane Cove Council Youth programs information here.

• Mosman Council Youth programs information here.

• Northern Beaches Council Youth programs information here.

• Ryde Council Youth programs information here.

• Willoughby Council Youth programs information here.

• Hornsby Council Programs here.

FOR EVERYONE:

Connecting Carers – Awareness, Support and Services event , Wed 3 June, 10am-3pm, Hornsby RSL.  EPIC will be there!!  Uniting Care would love for you to join them for this free community event, bringing together mental health carers, families and service providers for a day of connection, support, information and shared experience. It is a chance to connect with others, hear from mental health Carers, learn more about local supports, and take some time for yourself in a welcoming space.  More here.

The Centre of Research Excellence on Achieving the Tobacco Endgame at The University of Queensland is seeking research participants (18 years and over) to explorethe feasibility and acceptability of new tobacco control policies in Australia. Smoking remains the leading preventable risk factor for early death and disability in Australia, causing approximately 20,000 deaths a year.  Participants will take part in a one-on-one interview with a researcher.  It will take around 1 hour to complete.  Members of the public will receive a $50 gift voucher in recognition of your time.  More here.

LocalKind Youth & Family Counselling is a no-fee, safe, caring, and supportive counselling space for individual young people and/or their families. They offer individual or family sessions to support you with strategies to manage significant life changes, develop greater insight and understanding of yourself and othersyou care about, improve communication skills, and strengthen relationships that matter to you. More here.

All the councils of the Northern Sydney Region have a LOT going on for individuals and families. Way too much to list here!  I encourage you to visit the council website events pages and register for their newsletters.  Click the link on each of the councils here to take you to their events page. Ku-Ring-Gai Council, City of Ryde Council, Willoughby Council, Lane Cove Council, North Sydney Council, Mosman Council, Northern Beaches Council, Hornsby Council

EPIC May outings! Harbour Bridge Walk, North Narrabeen Walk and Kayaking (thanks for the pic Salina).

EPIC is a community building, peer support platform for parents and carers of young people.  If you know someone that could use the support from our organisation, please forward this email to them. They can sign up to our community by clicking here:)

Visit the EPIC website for info on our peer support, walks, podcasts, resources, parent stories, blogs and more.  Call us, email us, facebook us!

Warm wishes,

Mads & the Team @ EPIC

Phone +61 485 817 911