Make a Difference is developing a permanent campsite in beautiful, undeveloped rainforest in Kangaroo Valley.
Here's one of the kids at a recent camp on the property doing what kids do.
Read moreMeet volunteer Gaul
Gaul Dang (pictured here at a recent Make a Difference training day) works as a social worker and in his spare time volunteers to help Make a Difference
Read moreMandy Miles talks about the High Needs Camp in June 2013
At the training session for our camp leaders, CEO Mandy Miles talks about the importance of training and what we can hope to achieve from the camp.
Mental illness in parents increasing according to new report
New research published in the Medical Journal of Australia shows that the number of parents with mental illness increased by three per cent every year between 1990 to 2005. That represents more than a 45% increase in that period.
The lead author of the report was Dr Melissa O'Donnell from the University of WA
One commentator, psychiatrist Dr Nick Kowalenk, from Children of Parents with a Mental Illness, says there are specific developmental issues for children who have mentally ill parents.
"Usually for kids.... who are five, six, seven, they're affected to the extent that they can lose a bit of confidence when their parents are depressed," he said.
"We've got some Australian evidence which shows that school readiness is impacted when mum or dad is depressed.
"If parents have substance abuse problems and those sorts of issues and addictions, that's also not a good thing for kids and they tend to have a whole lot more behavioural problems and some difficulties."
He says mental illness in parents is a hidden problem and there needs to be more support.
"The issue of kids is one that's not always addressed that well," he said.
“The issue of kids is one that’s not always addressed that well”
Volunteers Get Stuck In!
Some of our intrepid volunteers spent a few hours on the Kangaroo Valley property on the weekend, helping to ready the property for campers.
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