October got busy for headspace Hurstville. 

Not only did we celebrate mental health month and headspace day, we also saw the start of HSC exams which can be an extremely busy and stressful time for our young people. The theme for 2023 has been "we all have a role to play", pushing people to think about the ways you connect with those around you. 

To celebrate and help alleviate a bit of that stress, our Youth Reference Group showed the role they played by holding an event named "headspace After Dark".

The event was free for all young people to attend. The aim was to turn our centre into an activity hub by turning each of the clinicians' rooms into something unique.

Some of the rooms included:

• VR Experience: a Virtual Reality room that included five headsets. This activity took young people through a mindfulness activity and breathing exercise, followed by an interactive art game, which allowed young people to draw in 3D.
• Quietspace: a spot for young people to chill and relax, which included mindful colouring in, weighted blankets, headsets, dimmed lights and sensory activities like weighted plush toys and fidget items.
• Artspace: a room for young people to express their creativity, which had canvases, painting and creating stick figures to paint on.
• Rainbow rack and change rooms: full of clothes donated from young people for young people to take home if they liked after they tried them on.
• Giant games: foosball tables, connect 4, jenga to have fun and get competitive with one another.
• Theatre room: for watching Shrek 2, with popcorn, beanbags, lollies and pillows.
• Photo wall: a homemade polaroid booth where young people could take home their pictures or place on the wall

Music was played, Ozharvest catered and an overall good time was had!

You might have also seen us at Westfield Hurstville for the Healthy Minds and Wellbeing Expo where our Rainbow Rack was on display and you could take some free clothes. We also visited Rockdale and Hurstville Library for HSC Rescue. We brought giant jenga, our quietspace, some mindful colouring and headsets to tune out for a bit. There was also goodie bags, massages and free pizza!

Together, we can work towards a world free from mental health stigma, what role did you play?