Podcast episode 85 has us sitting down with Shane Thomas an occupational therapist from Youth Axis, a mental health service in Wembley for people aged 16-24 years who are at high risk of developing psychotic illness or an emotionally unstable personality disorder. Shane discusses how Youth Axis is designed to provide early support and treatment to help people manage their mental health with the aim of preventing more serious problems later on. Typically clients access the service for 6 months or so and are then able to have their mental health managed by their GP from that point on. Shane discusses a range of issues around mental health including the historical siloing of mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, something which he sees as improving as practitioners up-skill so that they can assist clients with co-occurring mental health and AOD problems. Shane also talks about the need to slow down sometimes and do the things that help keep you grounded, particular in the current climate where there are a lot of stressors due to economic and other factors post-COVID which make life challenging for a lot of younger people. We also discuss how music is a key part of Shane's life and his role as the co-ordinator of the Arts and Mental Health Network exhibition event which sees mental health consumers perform live each year, something he is in awe of, and that has also inspired him to face his own fears and start playing music live himself recently. Shane's passion and enthusiasm for working with people with mental health challenges to help them have the best quality of life possible is infectious, we hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.
