Mental Health Educational Show Takes Centre Stage for NT Youth

TeamHEALTH and Mind Blank have teamed up for the ultimate education ‘roadshow’ that will run from 20-31 March reaching 3,000 students at schools and youth groups in Darwin, Palmerston, Batchelor, Belyuen, Daly River, Gunbalanya and Jabiru, in the lead up to Youth Week 2017.

Sacha King, Youth Mental Health Educator at TeamHEALTH, said that the theatre incorporates all five senses, and this encompasses an interactive approach to learning about mental health which is a great way for people living in the NT, with such diverse backgrounds, to learn.

“TeamHEALTH are passionate about encouraging young people to learn and gage a better understanding of wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention.  We are really excited to work with Mind Blank as their Youth Action performance is a mental health education session that is youth appropriate. It relies on interpretation through body language, not just the words we speak, which is the best way for young people to learn,” said Sacha.   

Youth Action is an interactive, educational show that runs for approximately 60 minutes and is a collaborative session that focuses on decreasing the stigma of mental health, providing help-seeking techniques and promoting self-care.

Ally Kelly, CEO of Mind Blank, said it is the companies first time touring the NT and with TeamHEALTH's pre-existing relationships to the NT communities, and Mind Blank’s creative approach to building resilience and mental health help seeking, it would be hard to find a more suited partnership to work together.

“Our forum theatre style uses lived experience stories and young actors that are relatable to youth audiences.  We get the young people laughing which helps us to speak to them in their own language. By providing a different and engaging method, we help break down their barriers, and then we demonstrate pathways young people may need if they themselves or a friend need to seek help,” explained Ally.

TeamHEALTH is a not for profit organisation that supports Territorians of all ages with mental health concerns in their recovery by focusing on a person’s strengths and abilities, and delivering mental health support programs that are individualised and outcome focused.

Mind Blank is a not-for-profit organisation that generates awareness and innovative education of mental health topics in youth across Australia.

Youth Action will be available for all of the NT community to spectate on Friday 31 March, 3:30-4:30pm at Happy Yes and is a free event – everyone is welcome.

To RSVP to this event please contact Sacha King at TeamHEALTH sacha.king@TeamHEALTH.asn.au.

 For more information about TeamHEALTH call 1300 780 081 or visit www.TeamHEALTH.asn.au.

For more information about Mind Blank call 0468 912 399 or visit http://www.mindblank.org.au.

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ENDS

For further information:

Hayley Aylott, Communications Coordinator, TeamHEALTH

 Phone: (08) 8943 9600   Email: communications@TeamHEALTH.asn.au