Kai - Connection

Welcome to the second episode of Finding Steady Ground. 

In this episode, you'll meet Kai. A proud Yorta Yorta and Barapa Barapa man, trainee ecologist, and cultural and environmental educator. Drawing on his experiences of floods, droughts, family illness, and community loss, Kai reflects on the many forms that connection can take - to family, friends, community, culture, Country, and self. He shares how spending time in nature, reaching out to loved ones, and staying connected to Country have helped him navigate life’s challenges and maintain hope through difficult times. 

Joined by our hosts Alex Howard from Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, and Sarah Herzina a Centre of Excellence Youth Advisory Group member, they explore practical and emotional preparedness, post-traumatic growth, and strategies that can help young people navigate recovery when faced with adversity.  

Support Resources 

eHeadspace is a free, confidential service for young people across Australia, with support available online, by email or on the phone with a mental health clinician or peer worker. Go to headspace.org.au.  

Contacting your GP can be the first step to getting a referral to a mental health professional like a psychologist or social worker. Reach out to someone you trust to start the conversation today.  

ReachOut is a youth‑focused website with information and tools on mental health, stress, relationships, and other issues that affect young people. 

Kids Helpline Confidential counselling service for people aged 5-25 years old available any time of the day or night by phone or webchat. Call on 1800 55 1800. Call on 1800 55 1800.  

13YARN is a free, confidential support line available 24/7. It’s run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and offers culturally safe, respectful support — whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to. Call on 13 92 76. 

Lifeline is a national charity providing 24-hour crisis support. Call them on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 

Climate Superpowers website aims to support children and young people share their wisdom and creativity in dealing with the effects of climate change. Created with and for young people it has quizzes, resources and a chance to share your story. 

Australian Red Cross website provides resources for young people, families and communities about preparing for, responding to and recovering from disasters. 

Centre of Excellence: Young People & Disasters website provides the emergency management, disaster and youth sectors with current, relevant research and practical resources to support meaningful youth participation.

Interested in learning more about the definition of a disaster? Here is the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s definition.  

Credits 

Hosts: Alex Howard (@alexandra-howard8) and Sarah Herzina (@sarahherzina) 

Young interviewee: Kai Hill-Crofts (@kai-lane)

Executive Producer & Editor: Liz Keen from Headline Productions (@lizkeen) 

Pre-production & Research: Phoebe Michetti (@phoebe-michetti), Jess Standish (@jessica-standish) and Dr David Pedder (@dr-david-pedder) 

Funding for the Centre of Excellence: Young People & Disasters was provided by the Australian Government.