SINCE launching earlier this year, the founders behind the youth mental heal non-profit Hand in Hand are showing no signs of slowing down.<\/p>\n
Following recent efforts like a black-tie gala event and a 24-hour fitness fundraiser, the organisation\u2019s latest push is set to bring performer Guy Sebastian to the region.<\/p>\n
Hand in Hand co-founder Leah Ashton said the event called Let\u2019s Talk About Mental Health will reinforce the organisation\u2019s mission statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing it\u2019s World Mental Health Day on October 10, we want to break the stigma and talk about mental health and those experiences,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to get it out there that it\u2019s ok to talk about these things. It\u2019ll be a bit of a Q&A session.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
All funds raised by Hand in Hand go towards Sebastion\u2019s eponymous Sebastian Foundation, with the aim of bringing Open Parachute, a peer-to-peer led mental health initiative delivered in schools, to Ballarat.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
She said the Guy Sebastian event will also showcase how the program has benefited the region\u2019s schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll 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,\u201d Ms Ashton said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve currently got the five schools behind it in Ballarat and we obviously want to get a lot more involved. It won\u2019t cost them anything to bring it in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s Talk About Mental Health will take place on Monday 9 October at Regent Cinemas.<\/p>\n
Tickets are $20 general and $10 for children aged 16 and under and can be booked via bit.ly\/3Ly1a3g.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019s latest push is set to bring performer Guy Sebastian to the region. Hand in Hand co-founder Leah […]<\/p>\n