Homestead for Youth uses unique therapies to address mental wellbeing and rates of suicide among young people

Caring for sheep and rabbits, helping to deliver a lamb and engaging with horses are among the initiatives a homestead is using to boost mental health for children in the South West and Peel. Homestead for Youth in Meelon, about 18km north of Waroona, has been using the unique therapies for youngsters since 2014 in an effort to bolster mental wellbeing and address rates of suicide among young people. Among the measures rolled out as part of the program is an animal therapy course which uses sheep, rabbits and other animals to help children struggling with issues such as anxiety and depression. The homestead also hosts a unique equine therapy program in which people who have experienced trauma or mental health problems engage with horses. Students can also take part in home schooling, counselling and other therapies. Hundreds have lived on the farm as part of its long-term residential and respite program, while others take part in courses for up to 10 weeks. A big number are from Waroona and Bunbury. Carla Fadelli, who runs the program with her husband Martin, said they hoped to raise awareness about what they do during National Mental Health Month this month. “(Mental health) is the crux of what we do,” she said. “The heart of Homestead is about providing refuge and mental health support to all families. “One of things we often get is people coming out and saying they didn’t know we were out here and if only they knew. “We can’t help everybody, but if we can provide a service that helps someone, that’s the goal.” Ms Fadelli said the organisation was often on a financial tightrope. It is particularly seeking funding for accommodation and technological upgrades. “70 per cent of our funding comes through donations,” Ms Fadelli said. “A lot of our families coming in are financially in a hard sport, so we try to make the program accessible.” Ms Fadelli said the donations had helped the organisation to “keep the farm gates open” and provide continued support to those in need. “We now have 10 years rather than two to pay off the loan,” she said. “We still have a loan to pay . . . but at least we know we can keep our roots down now.”