Latest news with #YouthFocus
West Australian
5 days ago
- General
- West Australian
Miners take on Kimberley wilderness to raise funds for youth mental health in Miner V Wild challenge
A team of West Australian miners have swap steel-capped boots for hiking boots, trekking deep into one of the Kimberley's most remote river systems to raise funds for youth mental health this month. The Miner V Wild challenge will see participants tackle five gruelling days in isolated country rarely visited by outsiders starting on August 14. The journey involves abseiling down a 36m waterfall, hauling 15-20kg packs over steep terrain and fishing for barramundi to supplement minimal supplies. It is all to raise funds for Youth Focus, a WA charity providing free mental health and vocational support to young people aged 12 to 25. Last year's inaugural trek raised $70,000, and this year's effort has already surpassed $115,000 with a target of $15,000 for each participant. Veteran trekker and LiveMine managing director Bud O'Shannessy said the physical challenge was matched by the mental benefits of being offline and immersed in the Kimberley's ancient landscapes. 'Some days you're doing 10 kilometres over rocks, through gorges and along rivers — it's not just a stroll,' he said. 'You sleep well, you're sore, but you're totally present. You just think about where your next foot's going to land. And the scenery … it's absolutely spectacular.' The route, mostly new this year, begins with a helicopter drop on Kachana Station before the group makes its way to the pick-up point. The trek is guided by Adventure Out Australia's Terry Hewitt with participants from across WA, including Carl Ringin from Broome's Kanyar Group. Youth Focus chief executive Derry Simpson said the need for support had 'never been greater'. 'Forty per cent of young people have experienced mental health challenges in the past year,' Ms Simpson said. 'Miner Vs Wild challenges participants to test their own mental and physical limits but just like the young people we support, they can't do it on their own. Community backing means we can provide help when and where it's needed.' Donations can be made via the Miner vs Wild 2025 fundraising page, with all proceeds going to Youth Focus.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Rio Tinto, Telethon and Youth Focus partner to launch community-based mental health service for young people
Mental health services for young people across the Great Southern will be boosted by a new community-based youth support program funded by Telethon and mining giant Rio Tinto. The program, which was announced by Youth Focus, a not-for-profit organisation working to improve the mental health of young West Australians, and launched at Albany public library on Wednesday, will provide counselling and school-based support for young people aged 12 to 25. Youth Focus is recruiting a specialist mental health practitioner who will be based at headspace, Albany, and travel across the Great Southern. The free service will cover the local government areas of Albany, Broomehill-Tambellup, Cranbrook, Denmark, Gnowangerup, Jerramungup, Katanning, Kent, Kojonup, Plantagenet, Woodanilling and Walpole. The service should be operational later this year, with no GP referral necessary. Youth Focus Great Southern regional manager Andrew Wenzel said reaching mental health support in regional WA often meant travelling long distances. 'This new program will enable young people to access mental health support in their own communities, breaking down some of the barriers to getting help,' he said. 'It will also provide extra capacity for our programs in Mt Barker and Denmark.' The five-year funding was key, he said. 'For a new service it means we can plan, get feedback and react to it. 'It means it can be a sustainable project.' He said one of the first tasks would be to rename the program because Community Based Youth Support Program was a bit of a mouthful with Feels on Wheels already floated as a suggestion. Youth Focus chief Derry Simpson said a major issue was people often do not ask for the help they need. 'We know almost half of young people who are struggling won't reach out, which is why it's so important there is someone there to help without having to wait and without having to pay for the support they need,' she said. Rio Tinto's health, safety, environment and communities general manager Mark Townson said he hoped the business' partnership with Youth Focus and Telethon would make a difference to the lives of young people in the region.
