Innovative, Flexible and Assertive Approaches to Harm Reduction and Accidental Counselling With Young People
Tracks
Springbrook Room
| Tuesday, May 13, 2025 |
| 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM |
Overview
Liz Scott & Molly Reynolds, Directions Health Services
Speaker
Ms Liz Scott
Team Leader
Directions Health Services
Innovative, flexible and assertive approaches to harm reduction and accidental counselling with young people
Abstract
The Sapphire Health and Wellbeing Service (SHaWS) is a holistic, multidisciplinary service providing integrated treatment and support for individuals affected by alcohol and other drugs and other health and wellbeing issues on the far South Coast of NSW. SHaWS offers outreach services throughout the region, employing a harm minimisation approach that recognises individual recovery stages, needs and goals.
In response to identified community needs, the SHaWS Youth AOD team have implemented a number of innovative programs and events aimed at engaging young people impacted by substances. One example includes a before school group program for young people using vaping products. The program was designed to be delivered at the local skate park to engage a group of identified young people who would find a traditional clinical or outreach setting challenging. This intervention aligns with research conducted by Snowdon (2024) highlighting the importance of alternative approaches to the delivery of substance use interventions for young people in rural communities.
Importantly, the program was co-designed alongside three young people who have now become mentors in the group after the initial pilot. Facilitated by case managers and a peer worker, the program has created an opportunity to optimize young people’s engagement in accidental counselling and harm reduction conversations through recreational activity, and has demonstrated effectiveness in supporting young people to take steps towards ceasing or reducing vaping and cannabis use.
Furthermore, a number of young people who attended the program have gone on to access individual support with the service, highlighting the value of the model in providing a safe and welcoming experience of accessing drug and alcohol services.
Other complimentary initiatives include gaming and activity nights run in target communities, pro-social and recreational programs aimed at dis-engaged young people and outreach services and group programs delivered at local Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.
In response to identified community needs, the SHaWS Youth AOD team have implemented a number of innovative programs and events aimed at engaging young people impacted by substances. One example includes a before school group program for young people using vaping products. The program was designed to be delivered at the local skate park to engage a group of identified young people who would find a traditional clinical or outreach setting challenging. This intervention aligns with research conducted by Snowdon (2024) highlighting the importance of alternative approaches to the delivery of substance use interventions for young people in rural communities.
Importantly, the program was co-designed alongside three young people who have now become mentors in the group after the initial pilot. Facilitated by case managers and a peer worker, the program has created an opportunity to optimize young people’s engagement in accidental counselling and harm reduction conversations through recreational activity, and has demonstrated effectiveness in supporting young people to take steps towards ceasing or reducing vaping and cannabis use.
Furthermore, a number of young people who attended the program have gone on to access individual support with the service, highlighting the value of the model in providing a safe and welcoming experience of accessing drug and alcohol services.
Other complimentary initiatives include gaming and activity nights run in target communities, pro-social and recreational programs aimed at dis-engaged young people and outreach services and group programs delivered at local Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.
Biography
Liz Scott has worked for Directions for the past 3.5 years, firstly as a case manager and now as team leader for the service. Liz has previously worked in the youth mental health sector, for headspace Bega, and Aboriginal health, working in both WA and with the local First Nations communities from a health promotion and public health framework.
Molly has a background in youth work and started with Directions just over 12 months ago and has been fundamental in establishing our newly funded youth AOD service and the development of programs and initiatives for local young people
