Young people from the Kimberley, where youth suicide and self-harm rates are far higher than the state average, are being given the chance to put their mental health first – thanks to a series of school and community programs we delivered this week.
Our team visited Broome Primary School and Looma Remote Community School, reaching 120 students in Years 5 to 9 through workshops focused on leadership, resilience, core values and mental health 101.
We also facilitated three safeTALK workshops for 25 participants, giving attendees practical skills to recognise when someone may be having thoughts of suicide and safely guide them to help.
safeTALK is a nationally accredited, half-day suicide prevention program open to anyone over 15, designed to break stigma and save lives.
This was our second visit to Looma in 2025 – our most remote delivery yet – reaching a community with a population of just over 500 people.
We know that young people in regional WA face unique challenges when it comes to mental health. Our programs equip these incredible young people with the skills, confidence and tools to make a difference for themselves and those around them. This isn’t just about individual futures – it has the potential to save lives and strengthen whole communities.
“Every kilometre we travel is worth it when you see the difference a single conversation can make.” – Vince Umbers, zero2hero Regional Programs Manager.
According to the WA Primary Health Alliance Needs Assessment, youth emergency department presentations for mental health in the Kimberley are three times the state average – highlighting the urgent need for preventative education and support in the area.
These statistics are proof of how critical it is that we equip young people in regional towns with the skills to support their own mental health and help their peers do the same. In towns like Broome and Looma, young people are experiencing higher rates of self-harm and suicide than their city peers, but services are stretched thin.
That’s why we’re travelling thousands of kilometres to some of WA’s most remote schools to deliver early intervention programs to young people who need it the most. Each regional trip helps break down a geographical barrier and gives a young person the chance to build resilience, find their voice, and ask for help when they need it most.
Every kilometre we travel, and every classroom we step into, proves the same thing – when you give young people the chance to be heard and supported, they thrive. With the community behind us, we can make sure no young person in WA is left to face their struggles alone.
These programs were generously sponsored by Telethon, helping us bring vital mental health education to some of the state’s most remote regions.
