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October 12, 2011
Alcoa marks Mental Health Week with $200,000 for Youth Focus
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Alcoa of Australia has marked Mental Health Week by launching a new $200,000 partnership with Youth Focus to provide young people at risk in the Peel region with greater access to free counselling services.
The two year partnership, made possible with the support of the Alcoa Foundation, will address the growing demand for counselling services in the area by allowing Youth Focus to add one full-time councillor, plus additional part-time services, to its Mandurah branch.
Alcoa of Australia Managing Director Alan Cransberg said he was immensely proud to be able to support this critical work, aimed at improving the quality of life for families in the Peel region.
“The evidence is undeniable: as a society we face an enormous challenge to overcome mental illness in young people. Suicide accounts for the deaths of one quarter of men aged under 25 years and for one in seven young women. More than 75% of all serious mental health disorders commence before the age of 25,” Mr Cransberg said.
“By empowering young people and their families to tackle the issues associated with suicide, depression and self harm we are giving them the opportunity to live more fulfilled lives and contribute to the communities in which they live.
“I am pleased Alcoa can make a positive contribution to this important national issue in the Peel region which is home to many of our employees, families, friends and partners.”
Youth Focus CEO Jenny Allen said there is a huge demand for Youth Focus services in the region.
“Our services in Mandurah and the surrounding areas currently have a waiting list of young people in need. This new partnership with Alcoa will be vital in supporting these young people and their families and will help to reduce the stigma attached to mental health issues.”
In addition to supporting additional counselling services, the partnership will enable Youth Focus to trial new client feedback collection and storage methods with the potential for these to be introduced state-wide in the future.
Youth Focus envisages it will provide face-to-face intensive counselling to around 140 people in the Mandurah area during 2012.
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Media contact:
Nichola Holgate on 0409 036 948 or nichola.holgate@alcoa.com.au
About Youth Focus: Youth Focus is a unique independent not-for-profit organisation that supports vulnerable young people in Western Australia by offering a range of mental health services. Youth Focus operates a team of skilled psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists that provide a range of early intervention and prevention services free of charge, to support young people and their families to overcome the issues associated with suicide, depression and self harm. For more information visit www.youthfocus.com.au
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