Sebastian visit supports mental health cause

SINCE launching earlier this year, the founders behind the youth mental heal non-profit Hand in Hand are showing no signs of slowing down.

Following recent efforts like a black-tie gala event and a 24-hour fitness fundraiser, the organisation’s latest push is set to bring performer Guy Sebastian to the region.

Hand in Hand co-founder Leah Ashton said the event called Let’s Talk About Mental Health will reinforce the organisation’s mission statement.

“Being it’s World Mental Health Day on October 10, we want to break the stigma and talk about mental health and those experiences,” she said.

“We want to get it out there that it’s ok to talk about these things. It’ll be a bit of a Q&A session.”

Sebastian will be joined by two Olympic gold medallists, Josh Hose, and local Shayne Reese, each of whom will share their personal mental health experiences and the presentations will be followed by a performance.

All funds raised by Hand in Hand go towards Sebastion’s eponymous Sebastian Foundation, with the aim of bringing Open Parachute, a peer-to-peer led mental health initiative delivered in schools, to Ballarat.

Since establishing the charity with two other local business owners, Ms Ashton said Alfredton, Delacombe, Lucas, and Buninyong primary schools have signed up for Open Parachute.

She said the Guy Sebastian event will also showcase how the program has benefited the region’s schools.

“We’ll have local students taking the stage with Guy so they can talk about Open Parachute and their school to give people an insight into the program,” Ms Ashton said.

“We’ve currently got the five schools behind it in Ballarat and we obviously want to get a lot more involved. It won’t cost them anything to bring it in.”

Let’s Talk About Mental Health will take place on Monday 9 October at Regent Cinemas.

Tickets are $20 general and $10 for children aged 16 and under and can be booked via bit.ly/3Ly1a3g.