Thirty Perth cafes have joined a new movement to help young people grappling with mental ill health and those at-risk of suicide.
As part of the inaugural “Coffee for a Cause” initiative, Youth Focus commissioned Perth artist Linzi Carter to design a bright takeaway coffee cup to align with this year’s Mental Health Week theme: Mental health starts where we live, learn, work and play.
The cups have been offered to cafes across Perth as part of a concerted campaign during Mental Health Week 2018 to build awareness about the important work of Youth Focus and to raise vital funds to help the organisation save more young lives from suicide.
Mental Health Week is an annual event that aims to raise community awareness and understanding about mental health. It runs from October 7 to 14.
Youth Focus Acting Chief Executive Officer Raj Thethy said the daily task of buying a cup of coffee would take on new meaning this Mental Health Week.
“Our new Coffee for a Cause campaign is as much about raising awareness about youth mental health as it is about raising crucial funds for Youth Focus,” Mr Thethy said.
“It takes the simple ritual of having a cup of coffee to another level by spreading awareness about our important work to provide free counselling to young people and suicide prevention education in Western Australia.”
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.
Suicide is the biggest killer of young Australians, with new statistics showing 51 young people aged between 15 and 24 took their own lives in WA in 2017. 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.
Mr Thethy said the efforts of Youth Focus supporters like Linzi and the greater coffee fraternity were deeply appreciated.
“We commend Linzi for her creativity and the large number of Perth cafes who will this year support our inaugural Coffee for a Cause initiative,” he said.
“Without this sort of generosity, we would not be able to provide as many young people in Western Australia with critical counselling services and suicide prevention education.
“I would encourage everyone to get behind this initiative and consider donating the cost of their next coffee to Youth Focus to help save a young life from suicide.”
Text the word COFFEE to 0437 371 371 to donate $4 or visit youthfocus.com.au to make a donation online.
A full list of participating cafes can be found here.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Nicole Cox – 0419 941 443
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