They are moving one step closer to that vision by launching their Positive Living Skills Early Childhood Wellbeing Program within the Parkes and Forbes communities, with support from Northparkes Mines.

Catherine Shaw, founder of the Positive Living Skills initiative and local Parkes resident, knows too well what mental health problems can do to communities.

“We have all heard about the rising rate of suicide, particularly in rural NSW, and we all know someone who has lost a loved one to such a tragedy,” Catherine said,

“Mental health problems do not discriminate, and people of all ages and backgrounds are at real risk.

“When I went looking for help after experiencing my own struggles, I found these practical positive living skills in my late 40’s. My immediate thought was, why don’t they teach this in Schools?! And so this journey began.

“People in rural NSW communities, or anywhere in Australia for that matter, can be reluctant to put their hands up for help, no matter how many times it is suggested to them.

“That’s why emotional intelligence must be taught in every classroom in every corner of the country!”

Cath Shaw is a woman on a mission; a mission that saw her form an alliance in 2012 with Dr  Terry Orlick PhD, world renowned performance expert and creator of the original Positive Living Skills concepts in Canada.

Dr Orlick is a global leader in the applied field of mental training and has dedicated over 40 years to researching the benefits and effects of positive living skills on children, young people and adults from all over the world and from all different walks of life.

Many of the activities within Terry’s book ‘Positive Living Skills’ have been built on or incorporated within the Australian suite of PLS programs.

“I am very excited to see this Positive Living Skills Program launched in Australia and I support this program and the Positive Living Skills Australian team wholeheartedly,” Terry said.

“It is so essential to teach all children Positive Living skills from an early age, because when you think about it, the destiny of our world depends on how we support the youngest children of today.”

“As I regularly travel the world to speak and present on how to build and maintain our peak level of performance in life, I see first hand the need all communities have to teach and share Positive Living Skills, so I am committed to supporting this program to span many countries and borders.

“I enjoy sharing with international audiences the work that is starting right here in Australia,” he said.

Local psychologist Carly Fisher has also seen the benefits of the Positive Living skills program first hand.

“I am extremely happy to fully endorse and support the work that Cath and her team at Positive Living Skills are implementing via the Positive Living Skills program,” Carly said.

“I have seen first hand through my clients the positive effects that have been achieved via the initial pilot studies here in the Parkes Community, and I look forward to seeing this vital program reach broader communities.

“The fact the program is so teacher friendly is another reason I am certain it will be taken up widely and swiftly.” Carly said.

The PLS mission has now attracted a partnership with Charles Sturt University, who are conducting research to further the evidence base of the Positive Living skills program.

Together PLS and CSU hope to see the release of the Program supported in various Communities in Western NSW and they are currently in talks with representatives from the Western NSW Local Health District with a view to gaining further support from the Primary Healthcare Network.

“At CSU, we are excited to be working with Positive Living Skills as Research Partners for these innovative Wellbeing Programs,” Dr Deb Clarke said.

As part of the latest round of funding supported by the NorthParkes Mines Community Investment Program, the Forbes Learning Ladder and Nurture One Victoria Street Children’s Centre will be the first in the area to get the opportunity to share the learning and resources with the children they serve and their families.

Raewyn Molloy (Director of Forbes Learning Ladder) has already experienced the PLS program during the product development stage.

“After participating in the PLS Early Childhood Program pilot in 2014 and seeing the children in our Centre benefit from the concepts and activities then, we are now excited to be implementing the final product and seeing the continued positive results!” she said.

Donna Eyre From Nurture One is also keen to move forward with the Program.

“The Positive Living Skills program will provide our educators with effective tools to empower children in developing their emotional intelligence,” Donna said.

“These tools will positively impact on children’s resilience and capabilities in coping with everyday challenges with short and long term benefits. We are so proud to be a part of this program.”

The PLS team have now also launched their ‘Family Link’ which is a web-based portal offering community members of all ages the opportunity to download a range of free resources to support the social and emotional wellbeing of everyone in the family.

The Family Link offers a range of complimentary audios linked to the Program families can download to use with their children at home.

It offers a range of extra articles and resources for adults as well that offer practical tools and tips for looking after ourselves.

For more details about Positive Living Skills visit them online at Positive Living Skills click on the Family Link page.

You can also like them on Facebook Positive Living Skills

Pictured above at the launch of the Positive Living Skills Early Childhood Wellbeing Program at Nurture One Victoria Street Children’s Centre -  back, from left, Catherine Shaw (Founder and Managing Director of Positive Living Skills), Donna Eyre (Centre Manager Nurture One Victoria Street Children’s Centre), Tabitha Warner (Koalas Educator), Jessica Churchill (Koalas Lead Educator); back row, Logan Wyburn, Addison Wild, Ali Al-Maliky, Brooklyn Budd, Alexander Priest; middle row, Zahlee Terrill, Jayda Davies, Isla O’Donoghue, front, Layla Varcoe, Ebony Bland, Heath Tanks, Natasha Wingyip, Armarni Reidy; very front, Briella Thornhill. Photo: Barbara Watt.