HELP is at hand for young people dealing with mental health issues thanks to a new card created by students.
The ‘Are You Ok?’ cards contain contacts for local counselling services, medical facilities, hotlines and websites for those seeking support.
Two-thousand cards are set to be distributed to local schools, health and youth services.
It is hoped the cards will assist the estimated one-in-four students that deal with some type of mental health issue before leaving high school.
Swan Hill College Year 8 leadership groups have driven the concept during the past few weeks, with assistance from Swan Hill District Health.
They found there was a lack of knowledge among their peers about what local mental health services were available.
In extra-curricular sessions, the 17 students brainstormed what to put on the card, potential designs and how it would be promoted.
Speaking to The Guardian last week, Montana Earle, Chelsea Mott and Sam McInerney said the experience had been fun and they were happy with the result.
“It’s colourful, and attractive and you can put it in your wallet to grab whenever you need it,” Chelsea said.
“It’s good for the future, to be able to say you were a part of this,” Montana said.
To encourage take-up, all cardholders will have a chance to win a free ten-pin bowling trip to Kerang with their friends.
Swan Hill District Health health promotion officer Hayley Tippett said the students’ sense of ownership of the card was very important.
Ms Tippett said the mental health cards would be available from Swan Hill College, St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill Specialist School, Swan Hill District Health — Health Promotions Department and Youth Inc.
