Students at Bomaderry High School now have the tools to build positive mental health and resilience as well as prevent suicide, thanks to a new program.
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Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM), an evidence-based mental health program for students, has been rolled out across Year 9 specifically, as mental health issues, self-harm and suicidality tend to first arise in this age group.
Bomaderry High School head teacher of wellbeing Julie Mehic said the program offered a proactive approach to raising awareness of mental health in age group that is often faced with things like cyber and school yard bullying.
“Anything to do with mental health and the discussions around that are so important for people of this age,” she said.
“This program shows students that there are people to help and that it is a normal part of life, it’s okay to seek help, that’s important.”
Through role play and discussions in a classroom setting, the program teaches students how to resolve dilemmas commonly experienced by young people, including mental health issues, bullying and suicidality.
“Suicide is this word that not everyone likes to use but things happen in our community, so that’s why it’s so important to have these discussions,” Ms Mehic said.
“It gives students a toolbox, I keep saying to the students it may not be that you need this help today but one day something might happen, and you’ve got these services and people to help you.”
Year 9 student Rosie Whittaker said the YAM program said while the program was fun, it was also well tailored to students and their every day lives.
“The group leaders actually had a perspective on our lives that you don’t usually see in schools,” she said.
“They weren’t afraid to talk about deep and personal stuff that people are sometimes more hush hush about or those taboo topics.”
As part of the YAM roll out, suicide prevention training is also being promoted to school teaching staff, school counsellors and parents.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention regional manager Dr Alex Hains encouraged the community to get behind the Question Persuade Refer (QPR) training.
“We all have a role to play in suicide prevention, it could be as simple as siging up for QPR which will help you recognise the warning signs for suicide,” he said.
To register for QPR, click here, to find out more about YAM visit http://www.suicidepreventioncollaborative.org.au/get-involved/schools-program/.
If you’d like to talk to anyone about the issues raised in this article call Lifeline on 13 11 14; Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800.
Madeline Crittenden
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
