Headspace has launched a new community zine showcasing young writers and artists from Melbourne’s west.
In Your Head Space is a compilation of 10 works of creative writing and visual art centred around the themes of hope and growth.
Matt Richardson, a Melton local who works at Headspace’s Youth Advocacy Group, compiled and edited the zine.
He said holding the final product in his hand for the first time was “overwhelming”.
“Helping young people with mental health issues has always been something that I wanted to do in some form, and to be able to combine that with one of my biggest passions was amazing,” Mr Richardson said.
“Writing is one of the best ways to explore mental health and mental health issues, to put your feelings down onto paper. Just to show someone what you’re talking about, how you’re really feeling.”
The launch took place at Caroline Springs Library and featured arts activities and guest speaker Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh, Artistic Director and co-CEO of the Emerging Writers’ Festival.
Ms Pivet-Marsh said it was a “really special” event to be invited to be a part of.
“Putting together a publication like this takes a lot of time, skill, and patience. People forget young people are really talented, and this is proof of that,” she said.
Tamara Bellion contributed a visual art collection called Glowing Through, which she says is symbolic of different aspects of her journey, life, and recovery. She said art is an outlet for people going through treatment.
“Having these types of activities for them to take their minds off other stuff that is going on, I think is really important,” she said.
Liam McNally
