Youth Focus and the West Coast Eagles have partnered to promote mental health services and drive positive community initiatives for young people across Western Australia.
The partnership will play a significant and proactive role in increasing awareness of youth mental health while positively impacting young people and families in the community.
Announcing the new partnership, West Coast Eagles star and Youth Focus ambassador Jeremy McGovern said supporting young people’s mental health has never been more important and the Club is proud to help raise awareness for such vital services.
“Probably more than at any other time, pressures on young people seem to be building and seriously affecting their mental wellbeing,” McGovern said.
“Being able to both identify and then help those young people to navigate their way through those issues is really important.
“Having an organisation like Youth Focus that has the resources to support young people is critical and I’m proud to have the opportunity to assist them achieve their goals.”
Youth Focus Chief Executive Officer Arthur Papakotsias said there is an undeniable synergy between Youth Focus and the West Coast Eagles given the strong connection between physical and mental health.
“Football players are role models to young people, and some players themselves may have an appreciation of the issues surrounding youth mental health.”
“We believe that youth mental health and suicide should remain front of mind for all Western Australians – the effects are profound and far-reaching, impacting families, schools, workplaces and entire communities.”
“Partnering with the West Coast Eagles creates a unique opportunity to unite to promote positive mental health and wellbeing to young people,” Mr Papakotsias says.
Youth Focus will also facilitate mental health workshops for the Naitanui Academy player education series as part of the partnership.
Youth Focus joins Telethon and Foodbank as the three major charity partners selected for 2022.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for young Western Australians. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows 58 young people aged between 15 and 24 took their own lives in WA in 2020. This represents an 18 per cent increase on the previous year.
Last financial year Youth Focus supported 4,599 young people through its free counselling and assessment services and 7,696 people through school and community education programs at 48 schools.
Media contact:
Hayley Sarre, [email protected]