![SUPPORT: The Bright Minds project aims to educate local teenagers about mental health, and to better equip them to seek help when required. SUPPORT: The Bright Minds project aims to educate local teenagers about mental health, and to better equip them to seek help when required.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/av8b9cWwadYrMh3R8BhV6H/dc1febee-4ced-4a63-8ac3-425629db0807.jpg/r0_142_2000_1266_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A YOUTH-DRIVEN project to educate teenagers about mental health issues will be offered to schools across Lake Macquarie from next year.
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The Bright Minds suicide prevention project is an initiative of Community Activities Lake Macquarie (CALM).
It aims to help young people understand mental health, to better equip them to seek help if required, and to deliver training to teachers and frontline professionals to help them identify and support young people who need help.
Project coordinator Dayle Fogarty said Bright Minds would be delivered as a series of interactive, youth-driven workshops.
“We encourage all schools and teachers to register for the training and workshop which will all be delivered free,” Ms Fogarty said.
The young people who present the workshops are aged up to 23.
Across Australia, mental health issues are estimated to affect one in four young people.
Lake Macquarie youth development officer Bradley Dunn said early intervention was crucial.
“With 75 per cent of all adult mental health issues beginning in adolescence, it is important our young people are equipped with the resources and strategies that will see them through these formative years,” Mr Dunn said.
CALM has received funding from the NSW Ministry of Health as part of the Lifespan Strategy to implement local youth-driven initiatives with the aim of suicide prevention.
Bright Minds will be launched on Thursday, October 19, at Charlestown Square, from 4.30pm in the Food Court, opposite Reading Cinema.
The launch will feature Circus Avalon performers, an Instagram competition, local young musicians, and give-aways.
For more information on the Bright Minds project go to calm.org.au
- If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
![ENTERTAINING: Circus Avalon performers will perform at the Bright Minds launch. Picture: Supplied ENTERTAINING: Circus Avalon performers will perform at the Bright Minds launch. Picture: Supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/av8b9cWwadYrMh3R8BhV6H/aeda0a29-3693-48c3-bc99-91f0cc95c3b3.jpg/r0_0_1273_774_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)