A youth-week meeting that will host an all-star basketball event to help inform and educate about mental health will be held in April.
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Wingecarribee Youth Hub in collaboration with the Moss Vale and District Basketball Association (MVDBA) have teamed up with the Southern Highlands Suicide Prevention Program (SHSPP) to bring the community an All-Star Basketball event, with the purpose of informing the community about it's attitude towards youth mental health.
The day is a family friendly, all inclusive event with the aim of running a low-cost charity event in order to raise awareness and funds targeting the state of Mental Health in Young People in the Southern Highlands.
The event is slated to contain the best of the best at the local Moss Vale Basketball competition, though the marquee event is only one of the many activities on the day.
There will be a knock-out tournament, a 3-point contest, as well as loads of hands-on games and things to see and do, including the addition of food trucks and lucky door prizes.
One of the event organisers, Matt Jensen expects there to be quite a diverse turnout of members from the community.
"The purpose of using the basketball stadium was to recognise it as a beacon in the community," Jensen said.
"Young people love socialising and being active, something that the game of basketball and the location of the stadium provides them with this opportunity.
"The problem of discussing mental health with young people, however, is not as well received.
"We just thought that if we gave young people the opportunity to enter into a safe an inclusive space, with the many positive associations that come with the MVDBA stadium in this area, then discussing mental health would be a whole lot easier."
Southern Highlands Suicide Prevention Program spokesman, Peter Van Dort has expressed his desire to help the cause, alluding to the fact that mental health is a very difficult topic to discuss with other people, especially young people in regional and remote communities such as the Southern Highlands.
Highlands Youth Services (HYS) spokesperson Nat Orford has also spoken about the organisation's involvement on the event and looks forward to seeing the positive effects that will come from it.
HYS has been hosting the youth hub meetings on site in collaboration with young people in the area.
Reaching out is one of the most crucial steps in preventing suicide, and leads to a much better handle on an individual's mental health and wellbeing.
Several Southern Highlands organisations taken the approach of the importance of knowing the five ways of wellbeing; Connecting, Giving, Learning, Being Active and Taking Notice within the community, of which this event gives avenue to all.
Patrons can show up on the day and get actively involved in the events, which helps them learn and connect with the community.
The event provides the area with a chance to notice how mental health is viewed, providing them with a vote and a platform to raise their concerns, or give suggestions as to how things can be changed or improved.
Donations will be accepted on the day, and the funding will be used to help roll-out mental health first aid training across young people in the Southern Highlands.
The SHSPP hold gift recipient tax deduction status, making any donation over $2 tax deductible.
The Moss Vale Basketball Stadium will host the event on Sunday April 14 from 2pm to 6pm.
Please call or text Matt on 0431 123 545 or email at mattywjensen@gmail.com for more information.