Headspace has issued a ‘safe partying’ warning to young people attending the Groovin’ the Moo festivals held in Wayville, Maitland, Canberra, Bendigo, Townsville and Bunbury.
With droves of young people heading to the regional festivals, headspace is encouraging all attendees to have fun, but keep their safety and the safety of their friends a priority.
In 2017, over 130,000 people attended Groovin’ the Moo festivals.
Headspace Head of Clinical Practice Vikki Ryall said with thousands of people at each event it can be a challenging environment for some.
“For many young people attending music festivals can be a very stimulating and overwhelming environment,” Ms Ryall said.
“To keep physically and mentally safe during Groovin’ the Moo, it’s important for young people to know if they’re not in a good headspace they can take a break.
“Talk to your friends about what you can do if you’re not feeling great and how you can support each other. The headspace safe partying tips are a great place to start.”
For the sixth year in a row, the headspace help desk will be at all Groovin’ the Moo festivals providing young people a safe place to spend downtime, get water, sunscreen and headspace goodies to make their day the best it can be.
Liam Cobain, a headspace National Youth Reference Group member said it’s his second year volunteering at the help desk and he loves helping young people have a great day.
“I’ve volunteered on the headspace help desk before. It’s a great spot for young people attending the festival to come and have a chat with headspace, find out more about what we do and pick up some valuable information,” Mr Cobain said.
“Some people at Groovin the Moo may feel emotionally vulnerable, so I’d encourage them to have a break and rest at the help desk.”
The headspace help desk is supported by Rest.
Safe partying tips for young people going to festivals
ABN 26 137 533 843 headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health
Tips for festival-goers include:
- Have fun without pushing your bodies too hard.
- Set your own standards.
- Look after your friends.
- Sex and drugs – Think about your limits.
- Don’t mix your drugs.
- Call 000 if anyone is passed out or in trouble.
- Don’t manage you comedown with more drugs.
Tips for parents of young people going to festivals:
- Talk to your child about ways to keep safe at festivals (use safety tips above).
- Let them know they can call.
