US mental health program founder heads to Ballarat for gala fundraiser

THE American founder of a program being championed by youth mental health organisation Hand in Hand Ballarat is coming to its major annual fundraiser next month.

Clinical psychologist Dr Hayley Watson, from California, will make the trip with her family to be among a star-studded range of guests at the 2025 Black Tie Gala Ball at the Mercure Ballarat on Friday 23 May from 6pm.

She will join Brendan and Alex Fevola, The Voice Generations 2022 winners, father-and-daughter duo Tim and Caitlin, who will provide musical entertainment on the night, and singer Guy Sebastian, who founded The Sebastian Foundation.

Dr Watson established the Open Parachute Program, a mental health skill-building program that uses peer voices to build resilience and wellbeing in students and educators.

It is now in use in several countries outside the US, including Australia, where it is being delivered through a partnership with The Sebastian Foundation.

Hand in Hand Ballarat founder Leah Ashton said she and her small team of volunteers had been overwhelmed by the level of support since the organisation launched in 2023.

“The thing we’ve really been blown away with is the community backing of youth mental health,” Mrs Ashton said.

“We’ve raised some great figures to support the program in a lot of our local schools.”

Mrs Ashton said the gala is the organisation’s major fundraiser each year.

And she stressed that every dollar raised – the tally currently stands at $260,000 – stays in Ballarat.

The Open Parachute Program is now in seven local schools, with more coming on board.

Mrs Ashton said the organisation is achieving its goals of providing young people with the education and resources they need to navigate mental health challenges, reduce stigma and build resilience.

“All the feedback we’ve had in our local schools has been positive. The most feedback we get is that it’s relevant [because] it’s changing,” she said, explaining that circumstances and needs in the field are constantly changing and the program changes in response.

“We firmly believe that the mental health of our youth has never been more important.

“It takes a community-wide approach to create real, lasting change for generations to come – not just for now.”

The organisation’s website is at handinhandballarat.com.au and its Facebook page is Hand in Hand – Ballarat.

The maximum of 350 tickets for the local event have likely sold out, but if any are still available they can be secured at events.humanitix.com/2025-hand-in-hand-ballarat-black-tie-gala?hxchl=mkt-sch .