Ben Shippard is a volunteer with headspace Canberra. He has been on the headspace Youth Reference Group for the last four years, and volunteers 2-3 hours each week. Ben is a very passionate advocate for Mental Health, and more importantly, for reducing the stigma that surrounds Mental Health. He has presented at the headspace National forum in Melbourne on behalf of headspace Canberra’s Onespace program, and each fortnight he attends Yourspace information evenings to support young people and their families with making decisions about the best treatment options for that young person.
Ben has also participated in activities such as the youth homelessness hygiene bin drive, volunteering at expos and information sessions, headspace Canberra planning days, and promoting headspace activities and mental health awareness. He attends training such as Youth Mental Health First Aid, and suicide awareness, and developed and presented a self care presentation at the IDAHOT LGTQI leadership day.
He regularly provides advice to headspace Canberra on issues relating to young people and the best way to engage with them, and supports young people and their families, providing them with reassurance and a different perspective.
Ben does all this while navigating his own Mental Health issues, and life as a young person, and his work has ensured many more young people and their families are able to positively interact with mental health supports.
