Virtual Reality (VR) is emerging as a powerful tool in tackling mental health issues among youth, and this innovative approach is being spearheaded by Youturn in partnership with the Big Anxiety Research Centre at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). They have introduced a revolutionary mental health intervention at their headspace centres, which involves an immersive VR environment known as the “Edge of the Present” (EOTP).
The EOTP VR programme leans into the future of mental health support. It offers a transformative 10-minute VR journey that immerses participants in breathtaking landscapes engineered by mixed-reality software. This unique tool is not only designed to elevate mood and boost overall well-being but also fosters forward thinking – a crucial aspect in combating mental health issues.
According to the recent Census in 2021, as much as a third of Australians suffer from various diseases, disease conditions, including mental health-related ones, which have become the most widespread among chronic illnesses. With the additional pressure brought about by the global pandemic and a national rental crisis, there’s not only a steady increase in mental health service demand, but young individuals are also finding it challenging to access the much-needed support.
Consequently, the EOTP programme was integrated into Youturn’s mental health plan to address these pressing needs. It’s a testament to the importance of innovative solutions when traditional methods are simply not enough or inaccessible.
The mental health tool is widely acknowledged for its significant effectiveness in remedying feelings of despair, fostering a sense of serenity, and promoting mindfulness. Users of the VR programme report overwhelming positive results – a telling indication of the tool’s potential to transform mental health management for Australia’s youth.
In solidarity with Mental Health Month this coming October, the EOTP VR programme will be accessible to all, free of charge, at the headspace centre in Maroochydore. It offers the youth a golden opportunity to utilise this innovative mental health tool while waiting for or in between therapy sessions.
The EOTP programme will be given even wider exposure during the week starting 21st October at the Sunshine Coast Plaza. The Plaza event increases accessibility and presents even more individuals an opportune moment the chance to discover this novel approach to mental health preservation.
Youturn CEO James Blevin emphasises the EOTP VR programme offers a critical complement to standard therapy and is an integral facet of the overall help young people receive. He opines that the rising demand for mental health services, especially among the youth, precipitates the need for such innovative interventions.
Echoing his sentiments, Professor Jill Bennett, responsible for developing EOTP at UNSW, accentuated the importance of adopting novel methodologies in addressing mental health challenges. The relaunch of EOTP at the Sunshine Coast during the Mental Health Month echoes her sentiments and highlights the necessity of evolving approaches when addressing mental health.
Contacts for booking the VR sessions or additional information are accessible via Youturn’s official website and its social media platforms. This initiative is not only set to revolutionise mental health management but is a crucial stepping stone in demystifying and decriminalizing mental health in Australia.
