Mental health problems are very common with about one quarter of young people and one in five adults experience a mental illness each year, with suicide the leading cause of death in 16-44 year old's in Australia.

The two hour specialised wellbeing workshops will be run as part of the “Healthy GIANTS Wellbeing Program” and seeks to empower students with essential insights to understand their own mental health as well as equipping them with skills to recognise and help their friends who may not be travelling so well.

Your donation through the Australian Sports Foundation is tax deductible. 

OBJECTIVES

- To increase mental health literacy amongst students in years 7-8.

- To equip students with skills to know warning signs of developing mental illness.

- To explore positive intervention strategies.

- Set up a framework for students to help themselves and others. 

SESSION OVERVIEW

- Exploring and unpacking the stigma related to ‘mental health’ and ’mental illness’.

- Discussing mental health problems in general and how common they are amongst young people. 

- Learning about warning signs of when a friend is developing a mental illness.

- Essential skills when helping a friend who may be in a crisis situation such as suicidal ideation, experiencing bullying or abuse, or are engaging in self-harm.

- Strategies to support and assist their friend in seeking the appropriate professional help.

- Importance of self-care and looking out for their own mental health.

SESSION COMPONENTS

- Multimedia presentations

- Group activities

- Role plays

- Reflective exercises

- Surveys and feedback