Turning on the Lamp

20 September 2018

Jayson Forrest

Jayson Forrest is the managing editor of Money & Life Magazine.

Peter Farrar CFP® has felt the tragic consequences of mental health illness firsthand, which has helped motivate him in his campaign to raise greater awareness of mental health in the wider community.

Peter Farrar has a deeply personal connection to Lamp Inc – a not-for-profit community organisation, providing care and services to people who have a diagnosed mental illness living in the Lower South West of Western Australia.

Like so many other people in the community, Peter – a CFP® professional from Cape Financial Planning – experienced the issues of mental health firsthand, when after four very difficult years, his youngest son, Lachy, aged 17, tragically ended his life on January 5, 2017.

“Sadly, Lachy was one of eight people in Australia who chose to take their life on that day,” Peter says. “And with eight people every day taking their life, suicide is the leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds in Australia, far exceeding the road toll, which is three a day but has far greater publicity. Both are massive tragedies, and more needs to be done.”

It was against this tragic background that Peter knew he needed to do something. And in those terribly painful months following his son’s death, Peter recognised that the Future2 Make the Difference! Grant could make a genuine difference towards mental health issues for young Australians.

Backyard Blokes Program

With Lamp Inc’s focus on mental health issues in the Lower South West of Western Australia, it was an easy decision for Peter to endorse Lamp Inc’s application for a Future2 grant for its Backyard Blokes Project, for which it received a $10,000 grant in 2017.

“Lamp is a relatively small organisation located in Busselton, Western Australia – a regional town located about 2.5 hours south of Perth,” Peter says. “But like all regional towns, Busselton has its problems, and one of the biggest problems is the lack of support for mental health and especially, for youth at risk.”

The Backyard Blokes Program is targeted at young men – ranging from 14 to 20 years – who are at risk of self harm and social isolation, by assisting them through peer support. The program aims to build individual resilience and personal coping skills to address and reduce suicide in regional youth.

“Through the set up of the ‘Backyard Blokes’ group, we will be able to employ a male mental health youth worker to specifically address the issues young men experience in their isolated and rural communities,” says Lamp Inc youth program manager, Paula Farley.

“The project will allow the setting up of informal support hubs and peer groups throughout the Lower South West of Western Australia. Open once a month in a discreet setting outside of working hours, the project will allow men to reach out on their way home in a friendly, supportive and confidential environment.

“And with the use of our mobile outreach bus, we will be able to target and reach out to at risk youth for education, support and skill building.”

In addition, Paula adds the grant money has allowed Lamp to provide peer support training through AIMHS Menswatch suicide support program. It is also assisting Lamp to set up the hubs and pay for rent on premises, and provide information nights and sausage sizzles to promote the program.

According to Peter, the concept behind the Backyard Blokes Program is to enable ‘men to help men’ – sometimes through shared experiences – without having to rely on traditional mental health services.

“In my experience, traditional mental health services are not effective,” Peter says. “It’s not much use telling someone to call Lifeline, if they are then put on hold for 20 minutes. That’s what happened to my son before he died! You need someone local, and that’s why I endorsed the Backyard Blokes Program.”

Long-term involvement

Even before the tragic loss of his young son, Peter had been involved with raising awareness of mental health causes, including as a support driver for the Black Dog Ride.

“The Black Dog Ride is a worthy organisation that involves motorcycle rides Australia-wide to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention,” he says. “And while Lamp has a connection to Black Dog, it is more focused on helping individuals in the community, rather than raising awareness.”

But through the $10,000 Future2 grant, Peter is confident the funds will be put to good use to assist at risk youth and their families.

“It’s very hard for regional youth to get help, especially if they are required to travel long distances for it. Many can’t drive and don’t have anyone to take them. But Lamp is local, situated right here in town, so young people can get help close to where they live,” he says.

“The Future2 grant will help Lamp continue its hands-on support for people with mental health issues. I am just so grateful to have had the opportunity to see firsthand the good that Future2 is providing in the local community and for helping at risk youth in regional Western Australia.”

 

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About Lamp Inc

Lamp Inc was established in August 1996. It’s members consist of people living with severe and persistent mental health disorders, their families and carers.

Members meet regularly at a variety of social and recreational activities, including Lamp’s three support centres at Busselton, Margaret River and Bridgetown in Western Australia.

Lamp’s aim is to promote personal independence, social wellbeing and community inclusion for people. Lamp provides services to individuals within their own homes and in the general community.

Lamp community support workers help to improve a range of skills for people with a mental illness, such as personal care, cooking, budgeting and other home management tasks. The aim of the support program is to enable consumers to live more independently and with confidence within the community.

Help and support also extends from the home into the community. The staff help with travelling, shopping and participation in leisure, recreational and other social activities that exist in the Busselton and surrounding communities.

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