Garfield Football Club members Trevor Riches and John Barnes are helping to organise a community forum to tackle concerns about depression and isolation among young people.By Paul Dunlop
EXAFL champion and youth worker Jim Stynes has been recruited to help Garfield Football Club — and the wider community — recover from the loss of two young players.
Stynes, whose work has helped many people overcome problems with depression, isolation and damaging behaviour, will visit Garfield next week.
The Brownlow Medallist will speak at a community night presented by the Garfield Football Club in conjunction with the Reach Foundation, an organisation committed to supporting young people.
Organisers and football club members Trevor Riches and John Barnes said the notforprofit evening was open to all clubs, schools and people who had a general interest in the welfare of young men and women.
“We recently lost a couple of young people, one in a car accident and one took his life. Something needed to be done to help, we just got talking about it and it’s snowballed from there,” Mr Riches said.
“If we can help one person then we’ve made a difference.”
Two years ago, Stynes spoke at a function in Kooweerup that was sparked by similar concerns in the community.
That successful event led to the formation of a peersupport group that offers confidential advice and a first point of contact to people, particularly young people, looking for a shoulder to lean on.
Mr Riches said young people now often seemed to be under much more pressure to succeed in sport, study and other areas of life than previous generations.
“This is an issue in many communities and we wanted to do something about it,” he said.
Mr Riches said the forum had been well supported by local businesses and in the community as well as by Cardinia and Baw Baw shires.
The event will be held on Tuesday, 14 March from 8 pm at Garfield Hall, Beswick Street.
For further information phone 5625 2294 or 5623 5708.
