LIFE-SAVING MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM IN CARNARVON

Youth Focus media statement, 10 July 2018

Carnarvon locals have participated in a potentially life-saving mental health program, equipping them with vital skills to help vulnerable youth.

The engaging program, Having a Conversation about Mental Health, is run by Youth Focus and is open to Year 9 students, parents and teaching staff at secondary schools across metropolitan and regional Western Australia.

More than 40 Carnarvon Senior High School students and teachers participated in two workshops on June 21 and 22, thanks to ongoing financial support from Horizon Power.

The schools program is part of the Youth Focus mission to improve the mental health of young people and prevent youth suicide.

Suicide is the biggest killer of young Australians, with statistics showing 54 young people aged between 15 and 24 took their own lives in Western Australia last year.

For every suicide, another 20 people attempt to take their own lives.

Youth Focus General Manager for Community Engagement Chris Harris said community education was the cornerstone of suicide prevention.

“In Australia, one in four young people live with a mental health condition,” Mr Harris said.

“Research shows that 75 per cent of all mental illnesses first appear in people under the age of 25 so early intervention and creating supportive communities is paramount.

“Outreach programs in schools provide a critical conduit with young people that helps us raise awareness and understanding about youth mental health challenges.”

The Youth Focus schools program was set up in 2012 to bolster mental health literacy in school communities. It was revised this year to include more progressive messages, including how to initiate conversations about mental health with young people.

“Through the Youth Focus schools program, we share important knowledge and skills so young people, parents and educators can recognise mental health challenges and deal with them before they become acute,” Mr Harris said.

“As a community we need to foster confidence in young people so they feel comfortable to start conversations about mental health with their friends and peers.

“Feedback we have received about our program has been overwhelmingly positive. It shows that young people understand the importance of having a healthy mind and are keen to learn how to improve their mental health and wellbeing.”

Horizon Power’s Digital and Communications Manager Andrew Riches said it was a wonderful program, tackling a critical issue, that Horizon Power was proud to support.

More than 6000 students from 40 schools participated in the program last financial year.

The schools program is in addition to free youth counselling sessions offered by experienced Youth Focus clinicians.

If you or someone you know needs urgent support please contact the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Ends

Youth Focus is an independent Western Australian not-for-profit working to reduce youth suicide. Through free, unlimited face-to-face individual counselling sessions and other valuable mental health services, Youth Focus works with young people aged from 12 to 25 helping them to overcome issues associated with depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation.