Mental Health had everyone talking at an Expo at the Bacchus Marsh Public Hall, organised by Moorabool\u2019s Youth Action Group (YAG).
\nThe Expo was created with the help of the State Government\u2019s \u2018Pick My Project\u2019 program, one of 14 successful applications in the region, with the Youth Action Group receiving a grant of $20,000 to run the expo, as well as supporting a new online and print directory to help young people access local mental health services.
\nYoung people gathered at the Hall to learn how to manage and practice good mental health, and hear from those who have experienced issues regarding their own.
\nThe YOUth Mental Health Matters in Moorabool event, held in Bacchus Marsh on Friday, 2 August, was attended by many from across the Shire, including students from Bacchus Marsh College.
\nGuest speakers included former Western Bulldogs AFL player Tom Boyd and two representatives of Ballarat Community Health, who spoke about their own mental health journeys.
\nIn a video for mental health organisation Headspace, Tom Boyd says, \u201cFrom my point of view, I probably covered up a lot of the cracks that were starting to appear in my mental health.\u201d
\nAccording to Beyond Blue, one in seven young Australians experience a mental health condition.
\nAttendees at the Expo had the opportunity to participate in workshops curated by Moorabool Shire\u2019s Youth Action Group (YAG) to promote good mental health, which included drumming, meditation, fitness and art.
\nMore than 300 young members of the Moorabool community identified youth mental health as a priority at the Moorabool Mental Health Youth Forum last year, with their insights forming the basis of a Youth Strategy Plan led by Moorabool Shire Council.
\nAccording to the Plan, goals for the Shire include improving the mental health of young people in Moorabool, and access to information and a range services.
\nMoorabool Shire Early Childhood Education & Care Services Co-ordinator Jade Moerenhout said \u201cthe feedback from all involved was positive, and the strong message sent to participants throughout the event was that your mental health matters, take care of yourself and don\u2019t wait talk to someone if you\u2019re not feeling okay.\u201d
\nMember for Melton Steve McGhie said the event \u201cwas created locally by young people, for young people to remove the stigma and barriers that make it hard for people to talk about their mental health and access support.\u201d
\nA similar event is set to be held in Ballan at a future date.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mental Health had everyone talking at an Expo at the Bacchus Marsh Public Hall, organised by Moorabool\u2019s Youth Action Group (YAG). The Expo was created with the help of the State Government\u2019s \u2018Pick My Project\u2019 program, one of 14 successful applications in the region, with the Youth Action Group receiving a grant of $20,000 to […]<\/p>\n