Christ Church Grammar School has raised vital funds to support youth mental health and suicide prevention as part of the Youth Focus Lavan Fit30 fitness challenge.
More than 130 students took part in the Noake Games III on Saturday, September 1 to raise money for Youth Focus to continue to provide free, unlimited counselling for young people in Western Australia and suicide prevention education in schools.
Youth Focus has partnered with Perth legal firm Lavan since 2016 to the stage Lavan Fit30, which encourages participants to exercise for 30 minutes a day during September.
Participants are encouraged to seek support from their friends, family and colleagues to raise money for Youth Focus and its important services.
On Saturday, students from years 7 to 12 from the Claremont school’s Noake House competed in a range of activities, including a basketball hoops challenge, obstacle course, ninja gym course, ergo rowing machine challenge and team baton relay.
The event was the culmination of a series of mental fitness learnings during Term 3, which included understanding mindfulness, ways to cope with stress and set time away from electronic devices.
Head of Noake House Jamie Foster said the Claremont school was proud to support the important work of Youth Focus and had participated in LavanFit30 since its inception.
“We have participated in Lavan Fit30 for the past three years, raising more than $20,000 for Youth Focus to continue its life-saving work for young people,” Mr Foster said.
“As well as raising funds for Youth Focus, we embrace the opportunity to teach our boys that seeking help for mental health challenges is OK. It’s OK to let a trusted friend or family member know if they are doing it tough and that there is help out there.
“This year we are undertaking a range of activities in our pastoral time to improve and create more awareness about mental fitness. This will culminate in the Noakes Games III on Saturday morning.”
Suicide is the biggest cause of preventable death in young Australians, with latest statistics showing 54 young people aged between 15 and 24 took their own lives in Western Australia in 2016. For every suicide, another 20 people attempt to take their own lives.
In addition, one in four young Australians live with a mental health condition, with 75 per cent of mental illnesses first appearing in people under the age of 25.
Last financial year, Youth Focus supported a record number of young people in WA, providing free counselling and assessment services to 3654 young people and school and community education to another 6000 people.
Youth Focus Chief Executive Officer Fiona Kalaf said Youth Focus supporters were invaluable in helping the organisation continue its important work to improve youth wellbeing and mental health in WA.
“We are incredibly grateful to staff and students at Christ Church Grammar for their commitment to youth mental health and suicide prevention in Western Australia through the Lavan Fit30 challenge,” Ms Kalaf said.
“This support is particularly encouraging, with young people helping young people.
“Without this sort of generosity, we would not be able to provide as many young people with critical counselling services and suicide prevention in schools.”
To donate to Lavan Fit30 2018, visit https://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/LavanFit30
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