Roxby Downs is a mining town in outback South Australia, with a population of around 4500 people, including many youngsters.

As an outback town, its weather can vary wildly from 45 degrees in the summer, to zero overnight in winter, but there’s always plenty of sunshine for its residents to enjoy.

And while it’s not a huge town, it offers pretty much everything one could want; including aquatic, cinema, shopping centre, schools, TAFE, cafes and sporting facilities.

However, growing up away from a big city shouldn’t mean growing up without access to proper support and counselling. 

Country & Outback Health is a not-for-profit organisation focussed on healthier, happier communities. Delivering mental health, general health and NDIS services throughout country South Australia, CObH is offering a confidential support service for the young people of the Roxby Downs region.

“Flipside”, run by local woman Sinead Hollingsworth-Hughes, is a service available for people aged 10-25 and focuses on building resilience and wellbeing for themselves and their families.

‘Flipside’s worked really closely with the Roxby Downs public high school and other people in Roxby, and they’ve said it’s really nice to have somebody to talk to. That getting support has meant they felt more confident navigating their lives, has led to new work opportunities, engaging with school, and feeling like they can generally cope with what shows up, and also improved relationships with family and friends.’

Sinead is the coordinator of youth programs for Country & Outback Health, which offers the Flipside program. Supporting the young people in Roxby Downs is her passion. And for her, the ability to be let into their lives, trusted with their stories, and seeing the difference it can make is what makes it all worthwhile. 

‘It’s crucial to have support within the community, and that’s what Flipside offers to young people. And I think it can’t be underestimated the impact that has on the lives of family, young people in the community, and the home.’

The happiness and health of the communities that BHP operates in is vital and that’s why BHP provides funding to Country & Outback Health’s Flipside program, which provides a free and confidential service to the young people of Roxby Downs.

‘It’s big to me because it allows young people and families the opportunity to get support when they need it, and I think that has such a positive flow on impact for the wider community and people of Roxby Downs.’