PCYC NSW and Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation are joining forces to support youth mental health across Dubbo and regional NSW.
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The partnership was announced during Youth Week with PCYC and Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation launching PCYC's GRIT (Growth-mindset Resilience Intervention for Teenagers) program.
PCYC NSW CEO, Dominic Teakle, said statistics show that one in four young Australian live with a mental illness and one in three experiences moderate to high level of psychological distress.
"The GRIT program integrates specific mental resilience skills training, with nutrition education, and physical fitness. The GRIT program is being piloted amongst 12-18 year olds in 2021 and has been co-designed with young people and youth mental health matter experts," he said.
PCYC Dubbo manager Emily Ross knows the positives outcomes this program will bring.
"Our young people deserve those around us to be educated and to support them and if we can assist in that by star jumping to help the GRIT program reach more youth in our region, then we are in," she said.
Chair of the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Board Jennifer Leslie, admitted she was honoured to be able to grant the funding.
"Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has a long-standing partnership with PCYC in Dubbo and across regional NSW," she said.
"For the PCYC program to make an even bigger impact on improving youth mental health in the region, more funds are needed.
"This is why the Charitable Foundation and PCYC are calling on local residents, businesses, sports teams and community groups to match our donation through getting sponsored to enter the Star Jump Challenge."
Over 1000 people have already signed up to star jump and help match the funds donated by the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation to raise funds for GRIT.
"Never before have so many teenagers, and pre-teenagers experienced anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges," Mr Teakle said.
"By adding a mental wellness program into PCYCs across NSW, we will be able to help young people build resilience and grit, and an optimistic approach to daily life."
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