If your child was struggling with anxiety and bullying, you’d be forgiven for not thinking the answer lay in making slime. But for Oscar, and for many young people, making sticky goo can be part of a holistic therapeutic process.
Social Futures’ Mijung Jarjums Kids in Mind (MJKIM) is an early intervention mental health program designed to support children and young people aged 0 to 18 years in the Richmond Valley hinterland, Northern NSW. The name, “Mijung Jarjums,” comes from the Bundjalung language and means “happy kids”—a fitting goal for a program that helps children to navigate challenges and build emotional resilience. Through a combination of creative therapies, family involvement, and evidence-based practices, MJKIM is making a positive difference in the lives of children and their families.
Frank Coughlan, a Program Worker at MJKIM, and Jennifer Stokes, the mother of 11-year-old Oscar, who found solace, support – and slime – through the program, share their story.[1]
For Jennifer, the introduction to MJKIM came during a particularly challenging time for her son, Oscar.
“Oscar has a long history of anxiety for an 11-year-old,” Jennifer shared. “He was being bullied at his old school, and it all came to a head around the same time as the floods. It was overwhelming.”
The bullying, combined with the upheaval of the flood, changing schools, and the diagnosis of ADHD and anxiety, left Oscar struggling to feel safe and confident.
“We moved him to a new school, which was a good decision, but he still needed more support,” Jennifer explained.
That’s when a school staff member referred them to MJKIM. It was there that Oscar met Frank, which was a major turning point for Oscar.
“Frank was so warm and approachable. Oscar felt safe and comfortable with him from the first moment, which was a big deal because he didn’t usually like talking to adults,” Jennifer said.
“Oscar looked forward to going and seeing Frank, he really enjoyed his time there, and he started to feel more comfortable in his own skin, and less anxious about being himself. I could see the difference it made.”
Jennifer described the sessions as a mix of play, creativity, and reflection.
“There was a lot of slime-making, puzzles, and even games where we’d throw things in a circle. It was fun, and it gave Oscar a chance to express himself in ways he hadn’t before.”
“As a parent, you have babies and they’re just so innocent. They come into the world and it’s kind of like a process of them losing their innocence, and you have to figure out how to handle that, and how to protect them from the worst things. So, yeah, when it comes to things like bullying – and then also natural disasters and COVID – how are parents supposed to know how to deal with that?”
While there have been some bumps in the road for Oscar, Jennifer says he has arrived at a much better space.
“Oscar still has anxiety, but things have continued to improve a lot. He’s more settled, and it feels like something clicked for him during those sessions. It’s been a slow, steady improvement, but we’re so grateful for the support.”
Frank has been with MJKIM for more than 10 years, working with children and families to address a range of challenges, from anxiety and anger to family dynamics and school issues.
“The program is all about creating a safe space for kids,” Frank explained. “We use a lot of creative and expressive therapies because kids often find it hard to articulate their feelings in words.”
Art therapy, play therapy, and even drumming are some of the modalities used at MJKIM.
“One of the approaches we use is called Theraplay,” Frank shared. “It’s about building connection and trust through activities. For example, we might play a game where we juggle soft balls back and forth, or we might use a blanket to gently swing a child while singing a lullaby. These activities help kids feel grounded and safe.”
Frank also emphasised the importance of working with families.
“Sometimes parents come in thinking we’ll ‘fix’ their child, but it’s really about supporting the whole family. We often work on parenting strategies and try to help parents understand what their child is going through.”
One of Frank’s favourite tools is a board game called All About Me. “It’s a great way to start sessions. The game has simple questions like, ‘What makes you feel sad?’ or ‘Who lives at your house?’ It helps us get to know the child and their family dynamic in a gentle, non-threatening way.”
Both Frank and Jennifer agree on the importance of identifying mental health challenges early.
“Kids are incredibly resilient, but they need the right support,” Frank said. “If we can help them understand their emotions and develop coping strategies early on, it can make a huge difference in their lives.”
For Jennifer, having access to a program like MJKIM was a lifeline.
“When you’re going through something like we did with Oscar, you feel so isolated. You don’t know where to turn,” she said. “Social Futures made it easy. There was no complicated paperwork or hoops to jump through. It was just there when we needed it.”
“It’s so important to have services like this that are low-key and approachable. It made me feel less alone, knowing there are people out there who care and want to help.”
Today, Oscar is doing heaps better. While challenges remain, the foundation built through MJKIM has given him some tools to navigate life with greater confidence and resilience.
“It’s been a long road, but I feel like we’re in a much better place now,” Jennifer said. “I can’t thank Frank and the team enough for what they’ve done for our family.”
As for Frank, he remains passionate about his work.
“Every child is different, and every session is unique. But at the heart of it all is the belief that with the right support, kids can overcome incredible challenges. That’s what keeps me going.”
Focusing on early intervention, creativity, and family support, MJKIM is helping to create a future where each child has the chance to be a “mijung jarjum”, a happy kid.
For more information visit https://socialfutures.org.au/mijung-jarjums/ or call Social Futures on 1800 719 625.
The Mijung Jarjums – Kids in Mind program is delivered in the Lismore, Richmond Valley and Kyogle LGAs and is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
[1] Names have been changed to protect ‘Oscar’s’ identity.
