On Friday evening our Youth Ambassador, 22-year-old Elli Reinhard, won the NSW/ACT Young Achiever of the Year Award in the Wellness and Health Category. This is an incredible achievement by Elli, and a fitting acknowledgment of her hard work, determination and courage. It is also a tribute to the help she received at Triple Care Farm and through the Aftercare program.
The award recognises resilience and empowerment by young people who seek to improve a community or individual’s health and wellbeing.
It was a double celebration on the night, as Jasper Garay (Darkinjung/Ngarigo), a member of our Foundation’s newly formed Youth Advisory Group, was also honoured as a finalist in the Aboriginal Education category.
“Will Martin, Anna Beaumont and I had the privilege of sharing the evening with Elli, Jasper and all the other young people recognised for their achievements,” said General Manager, Helen Connealy.
“We were very humbled at their accomplishments and bravery. Congratulations to all!”
You can view some photos from the event below. Well done Elli & Jasper!
Congratulations to the team at Triple Care Farm, who have received the Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (NADA) Award for Excellence in Research and Evaluation for its Dialectical Behaviour Therapy program. This award recognises individuals or organisations that contribute to building the evidence base for practices to reduce alcohol and other drugs related harms.
Heartfelt congratulations to Gabriella Holmes and all the team at Triple Care Farm, including everyone that developed and evaluated the program, and those who facilitate it each day at Triple Care Farm.
You can read more about the NADA Awards and other 2021 winners and finalists here and learn more about Triple Care Farm’s DBT program at What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy?
About Triple Care Farm
Triple Care Farm is a youth drug and alcohol program offering withdrawal, rehabilitation and aftercare support to 16-24 year old Australians.
Located in the NSW Southern Highlands, Triple Care Farm offers holistic, innovative and evidence-based programs.
The Withdrawal Program is for 2-4 weeks, Residential Rehabilitation Program is for 12 weeks and all graduates receive up to 6 months of Aftercare to support them in the community. The young person’s voluntary commitment to their treatment is vital.
Sir David Martin Foundation is the major funder of Mission Australia‘s Triple Care Farm, aiming to give vulnerable young people a safe place to get well and prepare for new opportunities. Through Triple Care Farm and the individual’s commitment, young people’s lives are saved – moving from a high risk of suicide to hope for a brighter future.
Read more about Applying to Triple Care Farm
We are delighted to announce Sir David Martin Foundation’s inaugural Youth Advisory Group as part of Youth Week 2021.
The group has formed to ensure that a strong youth voice guides and influences the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to help young people in crisis.
The founding members of the Youth Advisory Group are:
- Jasper Garay (Darkinjung/Ngarigo) Associate Lecturer at the University of Sydney School of Public Health and Finalist in the 2021 NSWACT Young Achiever Awards (Aboriginal Education).
- Elli Reinhard Sir David Martin Foundation Youth Ambassador and Triple Care Farm Graduate. Finalist in the 2021 NSWACT Young Achiever Awards (Health and Wellbeing)
- Lucy Stronach Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations
- Corey Tutt 2020 NSW Young Australian of the Year and founder of Deadly Science.
“The creation of this Youth Advisory Group is a really exciting step forward for the Foundation,” said General Manager, Helen Connealy.
“We are so pleased to bring together this accomplished group of young people, who through their personal experiences, employment and volunteer work are very much connected to youth across different communities.”
“By listening to their thoughts and ideas, we will deepen and broaden our understanding of the issues affecting young people today, and in turn encourage more young people to reach out for help when they need it.”
Ms Connealy said the creation of the Youth Advisory Group will support the Foundation’s future strategic directions.
“Our Foundation has been providing care for youth in crisis for over 30 years, as the major funder of Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm youth drug and alcohol treatment facility.
“With the help of our donors, each year we give over 200 young people aged 16-24 a safe place to get well and prepare for new opportunities. This includes residential withdrawal and rehabilitation treatment programs and six months of Aftercare support as the young people return to the community and build pathways to education, employment and independent living.”
“We care about the things that matter to young people. To be in a position to offer best practice care and support to young people, it’s essential that we hear their concerns and approach their physical, mental and emotional health needs in a non-judgmental and authentic way.”
Youth Week 2021 runs from Friday 16 April to Saturday 24 April 2021. To find events happening near you and to get involved, visit Youth Week 2021.
Jasper Garay (Darkinjung/Ngarigo)
Elli Reinhard
Lucy Stronach
Corey Tutt
Read the full biographies of our Youth Advisory Group members.
Addiction is one of Australia’s most misunderstood health conditions.
Sir David Martin Foundation is proud to be affiliated with the Rethink Addiction campaign as a partner organisation to help change the conversation about addiction.
Rethink Addiction was established by Turning Point Addiction Treatment, Research and Education in 2020 and represents a coalition of like-minded organisations advocating for a change to Australia’s attitude and response to addiction.
The campaign strives to tackle the stigma and misinformation that stops people getting the help and support they need to recover and live free from addiction.
Changing the narrative on addiction
Sir David Martin General Manager Helen Connealy hopes the Rethink Addiction campaign will help change the narrative on addiction.
“There is so much stigma and misconception in the community about addiction, which is a very real barrier to many young people seeking treatment.
“Our Foundation is proud to be a partner organisation to the Rethink Addiction campaign and committed to de-stigmatise addiction in our community,” said Ms Connealy.
“Addiction is a health issue and we know that treatment works.
“Through the youth drug and alcohol programs our Foundation supports, we hear amazing stories of resilience and recovery every day. Sadly, due to the pervading stigma surrounding addiction, many people are still reluctant to hear these stories and have these discussions.
“Early access to best practice youth treatment services greatly improves the recovery prospects for young people. With the right support they can get well and build pathways to a healthy future.”
Get involved:
Sign the petition supporting the Rethink Addiction campaign’s objectives to:
- Establish treating addiction as a national priority;
- Convene a summit for meaningful knowledge exchange between addiction experts;
- Draft a national plan and roadmap to address addiction; and
- Establish a dedicated addiction research fund to improve treatment outcomes and service pathways.
You can learn more about the Rethink Addiction campaign at www.rethinkaddiction.org.au
Related links:
Blog: Can Addicted Australia help shift the stigma of addiction?
A new survey has found that mental wellness has declined significantly, with the worst effects found among the young.
The 2020 Mental State of the World report was released on 15 March 2021, and presents the responses of 48,000 people across eight countries, including more than 3500 Australians, who were asked to rate their mental wellbeing.
More than one in four Australian adults reported their mental wellbeing levels were “at risk” or “clinical” in 2020.
Notably, though, the crisis was particularly pronounced among young adults aged 18–24, with more than 40% rating themselves at risk or clinical in terms of mental wellbeing, compared to 6% for those 65 and over.
“It’s not surprising to see that more than 40% of young Australians reported their mental health and wellbeing was impacted to a level found to be ‘clinical’ or at ‘at risk’,” Black Dog Institute chief scientist Helen Christensen, an international advisor on the report, has told The Australian.
“It must be remembered that this work measures mental distress and is not a measure of mental illness. People can feel mental distress without having a mental illness.
“My sense is that young people have been really affected by the disruption in their lives, more so than the threat of the disease itself.”
“It has been the social disruption, the lockdowns, the uncertainty, the school closures that have weighed on people.”
The inaugural report was compiled by Sapien Labs — a nonprofit that works to understand the human mind. United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore and South Africa were the countries surveyed. The Report provides a snapshot of what Sapien founder Tara Thiagarajan calls “mental wellbeing — the full breadth of your emotional and social and cognitive function and capability.”
Read more
Download the full 2020 Mental State of the World reportDonate and help young, vulnerable Australians break the cycle of addiction and have hope for a brighter future.
We are delighted to announce that our Foundation’s Youth Ambassador, Elli Reinhard is a finalist in this year’s 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards – NSW/ACT.
As a graduate of Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm, Elli is passionate about raising awareness and understanding about the complex issues surrounding youth drug and alcohol addiction and youth mental health.
Elli is currently in her first year of studying Forensic Science at University. She also volunteers as a Peer Educator, engaging with young people about alcohol and drug minimisation strategies and raising awareness on their effects on mental health.
Show your support
Please show your support for Elli by voting via https://awardsaustralia.app.do/nswyaa21.
Congratulations on your nomination Elli! Everyone at Sir David Martin Foundation is so proud of your determination, courage and continued achievements.
Elli’s story
Elli, 22, has a wide smile that can light up a room… and a zest for learning that’s infectious. But behind that smile lies a steely determination that’s helped this young woman overcome adversity and set a new course for her life.
“I had a very troubled childhood and I turned to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate, I guess, to cope with the uncomfortable feelings I was experiencing,” said Elli.
“This escalated really quickly to the point where I had to make a choice about the trajectory I wanted my life to take… and for me… that choice was recovery!”
Elli has generously agreed to be our Youth Ambassador – sharing her experience and insights to help others.
Recovery journey
“I still consider myself to be in recovery,” said Elli.
“It’s a daily thing. I have professional help I can call on. But mostly I feel I have the tools and self-awareness to know when I need to check myself. When I feel myself struggling I have a few select family and friends I can talk to. But mostly I focus on exercise, eating well and things like journaling or art to stay on track.”
“For me structure and routine really help. Attending classes, studying and working out daily is really important and the prospect of going to university next year keeps me motivated and focussed.”
Elli says that part of recovery is making tough decisions.
“For example, I made a conscious decision to cut ties with many people I associated with before my recovery. And those conversations were very hard to have.”
“But the program teaches you about accountability and good choices – and that’s what’s working for me at the moment. I’m building a new life.”
More links
- Meet Elli – our new Youth Ambassador
- Elli feels purpose in life again
- Highlands artist paints her way to recovery
Read more about the Finalists in the Young Achiever Awards NSW/ACT
The Award winners will be announced at a ceremony in Sydney on Friday 30th April, 2021. Vote online via https://awardsaustralia.app.do/nswyaa21
The start of a new year always brings sensations of opportunity and hope – themes that are reflected in Sir David Martin Foundation’s summer edition of Impact.
Our family foundation’s ability to provide safety, hope and opportunity to young people in crisis is only possible due to the generosity of our donors. Thank you for your support – it is life changing!
We hope you enjoy reading all the latest news from Sir David Martin Foundation.
Read Impact online here
Download a PDF version of Impact here
Sir David Martin Foundation Board Chair, Will Martin, has announced changes to the Board of Governors, farewelling longstanding Board Member David Adams and welcoming Paul Hennessy.
“It is with deep gratitude that we farewell longstanding Board Member David Adams, who resigned at the end of 2020,” said Will.
“David joined the Board of Governors in 2007, and played a vital role in guiding and informing our work throughout his time with us. His professionalism, corporate knowledge and business acumen have been incredibly valuable and our Foundation has truly benefitted from his expertise, which I think is reflected in the organisation’s growth and development.
“We thank David wholeheartedly and wish him all the very best for the future, knowing that he will remain a firm friend and passionate supporter.”
Will also welcomed Paul Hennessy (pictured above right) as the newest member of the Board of Governor’s.
Paul is Managing Director (Australia & New Zealand) of Capital Group and has over 33 years of investment industry experience. Prior to joining Capital, he was Head of Australian and New Zealand distribution for Macquarie Bank’s fund management division. Paul holds a Master’s Degree in Commerce from the University of New South Wales and a Bachelor’s Degree of Economics from the University of Sydney.
“Paul has also been a long-time friend of my family and supporter of our philanthropic vision,” said Will.
“I am greatly looking forward to working alongside Paul, our Board and Foundation staff to continue our efforts to support young people in crisis.”
Read more about our Foundation’s Board of Governors and staff here
We are so incredibly proud of all the 2020 Graduates of Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm.
While COVID forced this year’s Graduation ceremony online – the love, pride and admiration for these young people and their achievements certainly still shone through!
Sir David Martin Board Chair, Will Martin was amongst the speakers who congratulated the graduates during the ceremony. Will acknowledged their significant achievement in completing the program under such difficult circumstances.
“We know you’ve had to fight through a lot this year… illness, addiction, your insecurities and uncertainties, not to mention a global pandemic,” said Will.
“Just by turning up at Triple Care Farm you have shown more courage than most of us have to find in our lifetime…. and it’s this courage that I think will now make you stand out for the rest of your life and help you overcome any barrier or blockage that gets in the way of your future successes.”
Graduates also received heartfelt video messages of support from Mission Australian CEO, James Toomy, Lady Martin OAM and Area Manager Gabriella Holmes, as well as personal messages from the Triple Care Farm staff who guided them along the way.
You can watch this special video ceremony below and also via our You Tube channel here.
We hope this video stands as lasting tribute to the perseverance and hard work of these young people who are transforming their lives – and offers inspiration for others just starting their journeys.
Congratulations to the 2020 graduates, their loved ones and the dedicated Triple Care Farm team.
Special thank you also to our Foundation’s supporters. None of this would be possible without your continued generosity!
Watch the full 2020 graduation video below
Learn more about Triple Care Farm
You can more about Triple Care Farm, including details about the application process via Apply for Triple Care Farm – Sir David Martin Foundation
Why do young people become addicted to drugs and alcohol? Recent Triple Care Farm graduate, Hugo, has bravely shared his story for our Christmas Appeal.
He explains that his harmful drug use started as self-medication to combat his pain.
“The truth is, I have a mental illness,” said Hugo.
“I became addicted to drugs because I sought relief – any relief – from the crippling anxiety and depression that overcame me daily. Drugs were just a destructive band aid for my chronic mental health struggles.”
This is an incredibly honest insight from a young person on a life-changing journey to recovery.
Our Impact and Outcomes Report showed that 82% of young people who came through the Triple Care Farm program had experienced a mental illness and just over half had attempted to take their own life in the 12 months prior to entering treatment.
We also know that fear and stigma associated with mental illness prevents many young people from seeking help.
Hugo credits his counsellor at Triple Care Farm for helping him get to the core of his issues, identify his triggers and develop strategies to stay well in the community.
Aftercare makes a difference
Graduates often describe feelings of fear and anxiety at the prospect of leaving the safety of the farm and returning to their lives. Hugo was no different.
But that’s when our Aftercare program really makes a difference!
Aftercare provides each young person with six months of support from a dedicated Youth Worker after leaving the program. They assist with a smooth transition back into the community and towards pathways to education and employment.
As part of this support, the young person’s mental health is monitored, with referrals and guidance provided in times of crisis or need.
Now living back in the community, Hugo knows this support is invaluable.
Recovery is not a straight line, but with the support of his Aftercare youth worker, friends and family Hugo is working hard to put his life back on track and accept new opportunities that come his way.
Hugo, thank you so much for your generosity in sharing your story.
Read more about Hugo’s journey and how you can help other young people in crisis
Do you need help?
If this story brings up any uncomfortable feelings for you, please reach out for 24/7 crisis support via:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or
- Family Drug Support