By NATALIE GALLENTI
Brookside College in Caroline Springs hopes its upcoming Wellbeing and Mental Health Awareness program will help combat the serious issue of youth mental health. The day will also include entertaining performances from students. 109594 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
BROOKSIDE P-9 College is inviting community members to take part in its upcoming Wellbeing and Mental Health Awareness forum this Thursday.
The school is hoping the annual event will attract many parents, students and local residents in a bid to raise the profile of youth mental health and the importance of prevention, early detection and positive help-seeking behaviours.
Teacher and student well-being officer Seral Fehmi said the day would include student performances and work reflecting what they had learnt about the importance of their own well-being and that of their peers. There will also be a performance by Australian hip hop champions BKODE on the night.
Ms Fehmi said there would also be prizes drawn on the day, a speaker from Headspace Sunshine, Melton Youth Services and other local organisations. Melbourne Victory players will also be on hand with signed memorabilia.
“We are hoping to alert parents and young people to the early warning signs of mental illness and the need to seek help early, as well as where to get information and support when they need it or are in doubt,” she said.
It is hoped the event will build on the community’s capacity to help prevent mental illness in children and young people by providing information about support services and free activities and programs in the local area for young people and their families.
The forum will be held at Brookside P-9 College, Federation Way, Caroline Springs this Thursday, 14 November from 3.15pm to 5.30pm.
