headspace Kalgoorlie has just received a $4670 grant from the ABC’s Heywire to help raise awareness about youth mental illness. The grant is part of the Raise Your Cards campaign and will fund production of short, videos of young people in the Goldfields region telling a story about their personal experience with mental illness. These videos will be shared on social media and on the Raise Your Cards website, as well as via partnering organisations.

headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.The ABC has run Heywire, the annual regional youth project, in partnership with the Australian Government since 1998.

Chelsea Hunter, spokesperson for headspace Kalgoorlie, said. “This grant will allow us to provide young people in the goldfields region a chance to tell their story in relation to a mental illness they have experienced. We would like to engage with young people from all over the Goldfield’s region, including Esperance, Leonora, Laverton, and elsewhere – so there is a true representation of our community”.

Hunter went on to explain, “We plan on offering young people a holistic learning experience by offering them a chance to be involved either on screen or off screen, working with the videographer and media team to shoot, edit and contribute to the production of the film”.

The film will be launched during National Youth Week 2016, which also coincides with headspace Kalgoorlie’s 1st Birthday. Ms Hunter concluded. “This is a great opportunity for young people to have a life changing experience, telling their story, and reducing the stigma associated with mental health”.

Those seeking more information on headspace Kalgoorlie can visit www.headspace.org.au/kalgoorlie or drop in at Level 1, 48 Brookman Street, Kalgoorlie. To access other services managed by headspace Kalgoorlie’s lead agency, Hope Community Services, including the Goldfields Community Alcohol and Drug Service or for more information, visit www.hopecommunityservices.org.au or call 0890213069.