Mental health program for Year 9 students

All Year 9 students at Brisbane Water Secondary College Umina campus will be able to take part in a mental health program this term.

The College has announced that Year 9 will be taking part in the Youth Aware of Mental Health program over three weeks in August.

The program was developed in a partnership with the NSW Department of Education and the non-profit mental health organisation, the Black Dog Institute.

Well-being head teacher Ms Ruth Brown said the program aimed to promote increased knowledge of mental health.

It had an emphasis on equipping young people with the tools and skills to identify issues, to seek help if required and to be able to discuss and engage in the ongoing discourse surrounding the epidemic rise of mental health problems in Australian youth, she said.

Ms Brown said six themes would be explored by students during the program: Mental health, self-help advice, stress and crisis, depression and suicidal thoughts, helping a friend in need, and asking for advice.

During the program, students will be issued an information resource booklet about content covered in the course as well as Central Coast based support networks and mental health services.

Students would be able to freely attend the program with the Department of Education fielding all associated costs, Ms Brown said.

SOURCE:

Letter, 26 Jul 2019

Ruth Brown, BWSC