A latte with Lingy celebrates youth mental health program Read the Play

GEELONG CATS captain and Read the Play patron Cameron Ling was joined by leading Victorian psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg on Friday to host a special breakfast to celebrate youth mental health program Read the Play.

On Friday, December 9, the former Geelong Cats captain and fellow Read the Play patron Dr Michael Carr-Gregg hosted ‘A latte with Lingy’ at Edge Geelong, speaking to a strong crowd about the mental health issues facing young people and the importance of the Read the Play program in delivering innovative programs that empower young people to take control of their mental health and well-being.

Founded in Geelong in 2006, Read the Play is a mental health literacy program that has been utilised by over 32,000 sporting youth to help them learn about mental illness through fun and interactive games that remove the stigma and increase help seeking behaviour.

Carr-Gregg spoke about how vital the Read the Play service is for the Greater Geelong region and hoped that it would continue to be used by as many young people as possible.

“In adolescence, the idea is that the family focus shifts to your mates, that’s one of the most important components of Read the Play, psychologically encouraging people to hang out together,” he said.

“All the research is telling us is the greatest predicter of wellbeing in a 10-year-old is not being good looking, it’s not having lots of money, the greatest predictor of wellbeing is the ability of that kid to obtain, maintain and retain positive peer relationships.”

Read the Play Chair Sarah Albon was appreciative of Dr Carr-Gregg’s involvement and cited that the program was meeting the needs of young people in Geelong.

“It’s so nice to hear that Read the Play is considered a vital program for young people in the opinion of someone like Dr Michael Carr-Gregg,” Albon said.

“We are buoyed by this and will continue to strive to support sporting youth in the region.”

‘A Latte with Lingy’ attendees also heard from a panel including mental health social worker and youth mental health clinician Megan Williamson, St Joseph’s College captain Jaeger Fawcett and Read the Play Education Coordinator Tayla John.

For further information about the Read the Play program, head to www.readtheplay.org.au