{"id":367,"date":"2022-10-12T07:21:44","date_gmt":"2022-10-12T07:21:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/mtgambiertimes\/?p=367"},"modified":"2023-11-01T07:22:52","modified_gmt":"2023-11-01T07:22:52","slug":"youth-mental-health-in-the-spotlight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/mtgambiertimes\/sport\/youth-mental-health-in-the-spotlight\/","title":{"rendered":"Youth mental health in the spotlight"},"content":{"rendered":"

Free community performances in Mount Gambier & Naracoorte<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Rain Maker\u2019 is a multi- platform performance arts project designed to educate youth audiences around a range of themes that are impacting youth mental health today and it will be showcased in both Mount Gambier Naracoorte this month.<\/p>\n

Set in a football club, \u2018The Rain Maker\u2019 depicts the struggles of two young players and their coach.<\/p>\n

Star footballer Billy Jackson is destined for a future in AFL but events are threatening to derail his dream. His best friend Howie is the target of bullying. As a male dancer living in a small country town, it\u2019s taking its toll. Joining the football club helps, but its only when Howie seeks counselling, does he recover his self-esteem, mental health and identity.<\/p>\n

Coach Wikileaks is there to support the players, but he too is preoccupied with an imminent threat. The club haven\u2019t made finals in three years and the committee are threatening to replace him with AFL great Bernard Merriton.<\/p>\n

Written by Megan Rigoni, directed by Chris Thompson and with original music by Gully Thompson, \u2018The Rain Maker\u2019 employs comedy, drama, music and dance to engage youth audiences.<\/p>\n

Each performance is followed by a Q&A facilitated by Standby, where audience members are invited to discuss the various themes portrayed in the play.<\/p>\n

\u2018The Rain Maker\u2019 delivers the mental health messages in a way that is entertaining, immediate and highly relevant while stressing the importance of mateship, mentors and professional care in times of crises.<\/p>\n

Studies show that farming communities in Australia experience mental health problems at twice the rate of the general population, with \u2018rural stoicism\u2019 and fear of stigma are common barriers to sufferers seeking appropriate mental health care.<\/p>\n

\u2018The Rain Maker\u2019 is designed to educate youth audiences around a range of issues relating to youth mental health care, including encouraging audiences to:<\/p>\n