Page 52 - Tropic Magazine Issue 17

TROPIC • HEALTH

Horsing around

MENTAL HEALTH
A unique mental health
program being delivered
by Headspace Cairns offers
young people the chance to
connect with nature.
Words Georgina Malingambi

Technology is now a huge part of our Common Grounds on the outskirts of around them and if you are not ‘present’
everyday lives and there’s no denying Innisfail. The program is supported there is no way you are going to get a
the convenience that comes along with by Headspace Outreach, who are 600kg flight animal to listen to you”.
it. But the impact isn’t always positive, working collaboratively to deliver their Headspace Cairns, which provides
particularly for young people. Being ‘communication coaching’ program to mental health services for young people
constantly connected to technology can the young people of the Innisfail and aged 12 to 25 years, has extended
often have a negative impact on often Cassowary Coast area. services to Headspace Outreach which
already stressful lives. Horses are used in the program as includes the Innisfail area. Georgina
To counteract the ‘always on’ lifestyle an example, representing a modern Malingambi, the Outreach mental health
of many young people, a new program adaptation of the four fundamental clinician for Headspace, works closely
being delivered by Headspace Cairns personality types and how each of with Amy in delivering the program to
offers young people the chance to log these has its own conditioned response young people. “A lot of young people
off and connect with nature. The new under pressure. Young people are struggle with issues like anxiety and
program aims to boost mental health by matched to the personality of a horse or low confidence which often can lead to
welcoming participants into the stables ’horsenality’. Those that may have poor avoidance and withdrawing from their
and getting them out in the paddock. boundaries, or experienced bullying, day to day lives or the opposite,” Georgina
will be paired with a strong personality said. “They might display behavioural
horse to help them learn to say ‘no’ or conduct issues as way of distracting
assertively. Likewise, someone who from how they are really feeling. Using
comes across as loud and boisterous a horse to deliver traditional principles
Being around horses will work with a sensitive horse so of therapies such as CBT and breathing
has always been a they can learn to develop calmness and to lower stress levels is a unique, fun and
great stress reliever become more aware of how their body innovative way of helping young people
language is affecting them.
help themselves to better wellbeing.
for me. Amy of Common Grounds Equine has I personally like the opportunity of
Amy always wanted to combine her passion offering mental health support, and early
from Common for horses with helping people. She intervention to young people in the non-
Grounds Equine
knows from her own experience the clinical setting of the paddock.”
positive effect on her wellbeing. “Being
Innisfail locals Jai and Amy Williamson around horses has always been a great MORE: For further information
are the licensees of Sue Spence’s stress reliever for me,” Amy said. “I contact Headspace on
award-winning Horses Helping have since learned a term which mental 07 4041 3780 or Amy at
Humans method. Sue’s Youth Horse health professionals seem to use a lot Common Grounds Equine on
Whispering Program is one of the which is ‘mindfulness’. Horses often
activities run from their property at mirror the behaviour and emotions 0411 972 799.

52 • Tropic • Issue 17