It Takes a Village: Supporting Young People

In today's episode, Lisa and Rachel interview teacher and registered psychologist, Leanne Brooke. Leanne is a Senior Psychologist with the NSW Department of Education and occasionally works at the Heart and Mind Collective in North Gosford, NSW. In 2025, she was the recipient of the NSW Premier's Teachers Scholarship. Her research investigated ways that schools could support young people with school avoidance behaviours to reengage with learning. She is passionate about ensuring schools are safe and welcoming places for all young people and hopes that her research might bring hope to the many families who are struggling with school attendance issues. Need extra supports? If you're a parent or educator, you can check out: School Can't Australia - this is a place for parents, caregivers and professionals supporting young people struggling with school attendance. Amaze - more resources for parents, carers and teachers about 'school can't' behaviours and strategiesNeed extra resources? If you're a clinician, you can use: Reconnect to School Kit - this is a tool to help school staff and clinicians build a comprehensive case formulation for students experiencing school refusal. Free for anyone to use, but not searchable at this time, (so please use the link above to access). INSA Network - International Network for School AttendanceAERO Literature Review - 'Barriers to School Attendance and Reasons for Absence'AERO Literature Review - 'Interventions to promote school attendance and address student absence'Brought to you in partnership by headspace Gosford, Lake Haven and Wyong, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Servic (CAMHS) and Skill Engineer. headspace Gosford, Lake Haven and Wyong are operated by Central Coast Local Health District. All headspace services are funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Administration of funding is carried out by the headspace centre's local Primary Health Network, in this case, Hunter New England and Central Coast (HNECC PHN).

Do you want to learn how to better support a young person in your life with their physical health, mental health and well-being goals? Welcome to ‘It Takes a Village: Supporting Young People’! Join us each fortnight for a new interview with a subject matter specialist in the mental health space. We know it does take a village to support a young person, and you’re not alone. We’re bringing the village to you. Brought to you by our teams across headspace Gosford, Lake Haven and Wyong, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and The Skill Engineer. headspace Gosford, Lake Haven and Wyong are operated by Central Coast local health District. All headspace services are funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Administration of funding is carried out by the headspace centre’s local Primary Health Network, in this case, Hunter New England and Central Coast (HNECC PHN).