Day to target health issues of youth

ALEXANDRA LoSURDO

A COMMUNITY Health Day will be held on Saturday to address health problems that are particularly relevant to youth.

The event will be held at Hindmarsh Park, Kiama, from 11am to 2pm.

Representatives from health groups such as BeyondBlue, The National Tobacco Campaign, and The National Drugs Campaign will be on hand to offer advice and information on accessing help to deal with issues such as smoking, drug use and depression.

Local health and youth services will also be in attendance to answer questions and provide take-home information.

Jess Kearnes, of Kiama Municipal Council, has been largely responsible for organising the day.

"The day will provide a great opportunity for young people and their families to find out more about health issues affecting youth," she said.

Initially the council applied for a grant to run an event in conjunction with Sexual Health Week.

This grant was denied, but the South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service was interested in the proposal and generously provided funding for the Community Health Day.

Ms Kearnes says the day will largely be about creating awareness among local youth.

"We do have plenty of available services to meet the need," she said.

"The main problem is that a lot of young people don't know that they're out there.

"More awareness is needed."

Some of the issues to be presented at the day, such as depression, have not been addressed publicly until recent times.

"I wanted BeyondBlue to be there because depression has been a taboo subject," Ms Kearnes said.

"This is a way people can find out more about it."

A barbecue will be run at lunchtime by the NSW Fire Service from Gerringong, and local musicians will be performing at the park on the day.