By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A BERWICK martial artist is taking the fight to teenage depression and suicide.
In the wake of multiple suicides in the South East in recent months, including a St Francis Xavier boy and a girl from Berwick Secondary College, owner of Ultimate Fitness Training in Berwick Denee Lalouette has organised free self-defence classes for teenagers to improve their self-confidence.
Mr Lalouette, himself a former St Francis Xavier student, started offering the free classes for 12 to 16-year-olds last month. The 24-year-old said he began the initiative after speaking to friends closely affected by the recent tragedies.
“I’m a big believer in giving,” he said.
“These kids need help and if I have something I can offer them, then why not?”
The classes, which include boxing, muay thai, jiu jitsu, wrestling and judo, are coordinated by UFT’s head coach Yacine Aloui and are held on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Mr Lalouette said body language could play a significant part in teenage bullying and he felt his expertise in physical training was something he could impart to those children who didn’t feel comfortable with their bodies.
“Kids are often insecure about their bodies and the UFT classes allow them to build confidence and do it in a safe environment,” he said.
“Bullying is often targeted at body language. I wanted to give kids the ability to defend themselves.”
In the few weeks since Mr Lalouette introduced the classes the response has already been overwhelming, with close to 30 teenagers currently participating. Even he couldn’t predict the influence it has had on the community so far.
Psychiatrist and a board birector from beyondblue, Michael Baigent, said while there was a range of issues that contributed to depression, body image and perception was often important among teenagers.
“There are many factors that go into depression and certainly body image, acceptance, fitness and completing rewarding activities are part of this, as well as supportive families and meaningful relationships,” he said.
“Somebody doing something for one of these factors is very helpful.
“It is also terrific that there is such strong community spirit in this situation.”
Manager Counselling at Windermere Child and Family Services Brad Desmond also said regular physical activity could be very important in combating some forms of depression.
“Exercise can stimulate brain chemistry associated with the brain’s pleasure centres and increase feelings of well-being. It can also help to address issues of body image,” he said.
“Exercise can also be an effective treatment for anxiety.
“In the cases where depression is in the mild or moderate range, regular exercise may be as effective as other treatments such as medication.”
For more information on the classes at UFT Berwick contact 9769 3137.
Visit beyondblue.org.au, call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 257 or Lifeline on 131 119 if you are in need of immediate assistance or to talk to someone you can trust.
