What is Polyvagal Pathways?
Polyvagal Pathways is an 8 week small group program for young people who want to find ways that work for them to help manage big unwanted feelings that intrude on their ability to engage fully in daily life.
Built on the science of Polyvagal Theory and using evidence-based creative approaches, this program aims to help young people:
✅ Recognise their emotional states
✅ Develop strategies to regulate unhelpful emotions
✅ Build meaningful connections
Our vision for Polyvagal Pathways:
💡 Create a sustainable, youth-led model - Empowering young people to support each other.
🚀 Train young people to become facilitators - young leaders who can relate to participants.
🌏 Expand the program’s reach - to other Australian communities.
Help us create a program
that is for young people
by young people.
Competition Details
What to do
Choose at least ONE of the 4 states to create an art work (see descriptions below that may help you in your creation).
Create an art work - using whatever medium you like (paints, crayons, collage, digital art, mixed media, drawing, digital art) whatever feels right for you in showing what the state is like for you.
Description
We are developing resources to use in Polyvagal Pathways, and want the art work to come from young people, so it will be relatable and resonate with the young people participating in the program.
Submitting your art work:
Attach to the art work:
Completed Entry Form and signed Permission to use art work.
Tick sheet with the box/es ticked showing which of the states the art work is representing.
Submit your original art work to:
Centre for Healthy Living, 14 Freestone Rd, Warwick 4370.
All entries to be submitted by 5.00pm on Monday 12th May 2025.
There are 4 basic states (according to Polyvagal Theory) that we move through at different times, every day:
Our team
I couldn't do this great work on my own. I am grateful to be working in collaboration with the Centre for Healthy Living in the creation of Polyvagal Pathways. Their experience and passion for providing quality programs to address identified needs for our local youth, is well-known in the Southern Downs Region of rural Queensland. Their commitment to this project ensures the final product will be of the highest standard and will deliver successful outcomes for all participants in the program.
Tracey Mekitarian
Creator of Polyvagal Pathways
CFHL Team
The team from the Centre for Healthy Living, who are supporting me in this adventure are made up of psychologists, developmental educators, social workers and counsellors all working together to create this much needed program for our local youth.
