By Eleanor Wilson
New research by Mission Australian and Orygen found 69 per cent of young Victorians reported the pandemic had a negative impact on their mental health.
While the brunt of lockdown restrictions may be behind us, youth mental health remains a contentious issue.
To highlight the importance of their mental well being, students at Foundation Centre’s Casey campus held a positivity exhibition on Monday 20 June.
Year 11 students each represented an organisation that supports youth mental health and held a fundraiser, selling homemade cupcakes, cookies, candles, key rings and crocheted dots.
Representing organisations including ReachOut, Beyond Blue, Sane, Sebastian Foundation, Starlight Foundation, Helping Minds and Compassionate Friends, students also decorated the exhibition with bunting printed with personalised mottos for positivity.
“The last two years have seen teen mental ill health skyrocket; at Foundation Learning Centre, we see it firsthand,” said Foundation Learning Centre’s learning and curriculum coordinator and educator Daniella Maloney.
“Our exhibition aimed to reduce the stigma of mental health concerns and give all our students the tools to assist them and encourage them to seek help as there are many fantastic organisations out there available for the youth of Casey.”
Foundation Learning Centre is a not-for-profit organisation that provides education for marginalised and academically disadvantaged students, both at its Casey campus in Narre Warren and Peninsula campus in Frankston.
