IT’S vibrant, fun, engaging and potentially life-changing.
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Introducing the Keep in Touch (KIT) project, a new mental health promotion initiative rolling out across the Loddon Campaspe region.
Launched in Echuca on World Mental Health Day, KIT aims to empower young people to achieve and maintain positive mental health and wellbeing.
And it’s hoping to accomplish this through three key elements – the KIT van, KIT app and KIT crew.
“This project originated from young people’s ideas across the Loddon Campaspe region,” steering committee member Kirsten Rabbitt said.
“About 18 months ago they got together and said, ‘we really care about our mental health, we really want to be doing something proactive in that space, and we want the community to be involved’.”
The KIT van and app are free and accessible to all young people and can be requested anywhere in the Loddon Campaspe region.
KIT aims to connect young people to local mental health and wellbeing services, resources and activities and is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services.
“Local young people can use the app to search not only for mental health service providers but also community providers like sporting groups, creative groups and local health services,” Ms Rabbitt said.
“The app also gives a geographical location of the van in case people want to drop in, and gives an opportunity for people to actually book the van to come to a local event.”
As for the van itself and the attached marquee, they offer an eye-catching engagement tool to get young people talking about a vital topic.
“Young people designed it, it’s all their ideas,” Ms Rabbitt said.
“It’ll be a place where young people can come, talk to local workers, engage in activities and have fun.
“And if they do feel they want to find out where to go to look after their mental health, we can put them in contact with the correct services.”
For more information and to download the app, visit keepintouch.org.au