from YAPRap January 2007
by Isabel Seidel, YAPRap Feature Writer
The name black dog has historically being used to describe depression. What do you think happens when young people take ownership of this name and use it positively? For a start, people become more aware of the name, what it means and what they can do to help young people suffering from depression.
So, where do we find these young people who are doing positive stuff in the community? In Orange, western NSW! Orange is a grand old country town located beyond the Blue Mountains on the Mitchell Highway not far from Bathurst. The local government area of Orange is made up of small agricultural communities and there are plenty of wide open spaces. All this beautiful countryside may be pleasing to the eye but for many young people living in the country can at times be challenging - with the lack of transport, things to do and not many jobs available. When things get too much for young people living in the country for whatever reason it's not always easy.
The Black Dog youth committee in Orange wanted to reach out to young people and parents with the aim to raise awareness of depression among young people. They aimed to do this by providing information on services available in the local government area of Orange at youth events. The committee thought this would be the best way to get information out to young people. It actually all started because a couple of young people had friends or family members commit suicide and they wanted to do something about it. They started talking about what they could do and the Black Dog committee came about.
Recently, hardly a year goes by without some media coverage on rural youth suicide. The issue is also surrounded by a number of depressing stories on the misuse of alcohol and drugs in small isolated communities. The actual reality is that the majority of young people living in rural areas are not committing suicide or taking alcohol or drugs. There has been an increase in suicide and misuse of alcohol and drugs but the media never presents a balanced view. Thank goodness a bunch of young people in Orange actually are doing something positive about the issue. I spoke to an inspiring young person, Tara Selwood, who helped to form Black Dog in 2005. She told me the best thing about Black Dog is that it is not a talkfest and the events Black Dog organises bring young people and families together. She said "we tailor the events to the community and we are able to keep our ears to the ground and therefore have a good idea of what events will be successful".
How does Black Dog know what events to organise? The committee visited the schools in the region and did some market research to find out what the young people would like to happen to get the message across about youth depression. Tara said "consulting with young people helped to find out what they wanted".
Who financially supported the events? Local businesses in the community, the local newspaper advertised the events and the Black Dog committee had also received a few grants to get them started. Tara said "getting the finances right is important. We gotta remember we're doing these events for young people in the community so they have to be affordable".
What events has Black Dog organised?
There are so many and these include:
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Acoustic music in the park - this was an event that brought young people and families together. It was held at the Orange botanic gardens and local young people performed. A BBQ was also held and a stall was set up to distribute information on youth depression and the services that can help young people in the local government area of Orange. Tara said the "subtle nature of getting information out to their young people and parents about youth depression made the event so successful".
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Trivia night - the trivia night got a great response from local businesses who donated prizes.
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In the Bin Short Film Festival - was an opportunity for young people in Orange to participate in 3 days of filmmaking workshops as well as watch 14 short films in the Orange Botanic Gardens. It gave the community a different way to spend a Friday evening and brought families and young people together.
There has also been a movie night, dance party and comedy extravaganza featuring Flacco and the Sandman. The Fleshly Plucked Festival happened on 16 December featuring touring bands supported by the best local acts. The festival is planned to be an annual event showcasing local and touring artists.
Jason Lowe, the Youth Development Officer at Orange City Council, said "all the events are about letting young people and community members know about what services are available locally and regionally to help young people get support. It also helps to start conversations about youth depression and depression in general. Talking about youth depression keeps it in the public eye and not behind closed doors".
So, what's the Black Dog committee organising next? Black Dog certainly has lots planned in 2007 and it is always open to new ideas. How does the Black Dog committee keep coming up with new and exciting ideas? Tara said "it's all about listening to the young people and finding out what the young people would want. It's about putting fun stuff on and getting information out there."
The Black Dog committee is doing an awesome job and they are getting the messages out there about youth depression in a subtle but a effective way.
More information
More about Black Dog
Jason Lowe
Youth Development Officer
Orange City Council
02 6393 8628
More about youth depression
- beyondblue www.beyondblue.org.au
- the black dog institute www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
