We are thrilled to announce that more young people in regional Western Australia will be able to access our vital programs, thanks to being named as a 2024 Telethon beneficiary for the first time.
Telethon’s funds will allow us to impact the mental health of young people in the Kimberley, which has the highest rates of hospitalisation for self-harm in those aged 0-24 in Western Australia.
As part of a 12-month strategy, the mental health of more than 1,600 young people in the Kimberley will be prioritised in a three-phase program to provide mental health education well before crisis point.
Throughout the year, we will be delivering a series of workshops at local schools, a free suicide prevention workshop, and sponsoring 20 young people to attend Camp Hero LEADERSHIP, a life-changing program for young leaders.
Our Partnerships and Fundraising Manager Oscar Wharton said access to mental health education in the North West was more critical than ever, and the Telethon funding will ensure zero2hero can further expand youth mental health training in the Kimberley region.
“We know the Kimberley is one of the most vulnerable regions in WA, due to its remote location that limits access to specialist health services” he said.
“Studies show the leading cause of death or ill-health for young people in the Kimberley is suicide and self-inflicted injuries – so, nothing is hurting young people more in the region than poor mental health.”
Our week-long school roadshows will start in Term 1 in Broome and surrounding areas, and target Kununurra in Term 2. Our Facilitators will be delivering our Hero High program to both primary and high school students, which will include a range of presentations from Mental Health 101, to Understanding Anxiety, to Love Yourself.
Mr Wharton said the school roadshows will include remote Aboriginal communities and will be culturally responsive, engaging with Aboriginal engagement officers in schools as well as other mentors.
During the year, 20 Kimberley students will be awarded scholarships to attend our flagship program, Camp Hero LEADERSHIP, to learn practical skills on how to positively support their mental health, as well as how to help others who may be struggling with their wellbeing or showing signs of taking their own life.
“The camp identifies young people that have the potential to be leaders within their communities,” Mr Wharton said. “The idea is that they will be empowered to return back to their communities as a mental health leader, to help support others.”
“Not only are we empowering that young person to learn about themselves and how to navigate mental health challenges for themselves, but they will also learn how to become a life-saving connector in their community.”
We will also be delivering their free suicide prevention workshop, safeTALK, to train anyone over the age of 15 interested in knowing how to recognise signs of suicidal thoughts in others and connect those in need with the appropriate help.
We are confident that the roll-out of these initiations will provide ripples of benefit that will safeguard future generations.
“Once we have engaged young people in these programs, that learning stays with them,” he said. “We know that the young person will share their learnings with their parents, their uncle, aunty, or footy coach. The indirect impact is huge”.
“One in four young people have a mental illness and half of those illnesses develop before the age of 25, that is why youth education is so critical.
“80% of young people will reach out to a friend first before they go to their school counsellor, before they go to their parents, before they call Lifeline or Beyond Blue. And if that friend isn’t equipped to handle that conversation then the outcome is critical.”
Since starting 10 years ago, zero2hero has empowered more than 220,000 young people through mental health and suicide prevention education in WA.
In 2023, we empowered 32,507 young people, trained 611 students in suicide prevention, provided 20,680 students with mental health education and reached 246 WA high schools.
