Kit van to boost youth mental health in loddon campaspe

On the eve of World Mental Health Day, a new specially designed Keep In Touch van has been officially launched in the Macedon Ranges Shire thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.

Supported by $400,000 from the Labor Government, the KIT van is an initiative of the Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership and the Department of Health and Human Services – and was launched at a special mental health event at Braemar College in Woodend.

The idea for the van was born after the Regional Partnership conducted six "When Life Sucks" forums, which attracted around 200 young people aged 12 to 25 to discuss what was needed to support youth mental health and build resilience in their communities.

The KIT van was among the top ideas, complete with technology that will enable access to mental health and well-being resources.

It will be staffed by a project worker employed by Anglicare, who will visit towns around the region to promote a positive mental health message, and work in conjunction with other local service providers and a youth crew.

An app was also launched today which allows young people to know when the KIT van is in town and includes a directory of local services young people can access.

The Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership has also allocated $35,000 of seed funding to support the project evaluation design and the initial stages of the App development.

To download the app, go to keepintouch.org.au.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"The Loddon Campaspe community told the Regional Partnership they were concerned about youth mental health. It’s great to see the Partnership has worked with young people to co-design an initiative which will appeal to young people, tackle mental health issues and boost positive mental health messages in their community."

"We’re proud to have supported the Partnership and young people to deliver this great local project and I can’t wait to see the KIT van out and about across the region."

Quote attributable to Dave Richardson, Chair of the Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership
"Youth input and co-design have been really important to the success of this initiative. I want to thank all the young people who have invested their time in helping design this van and app so that young people in our community have a really useful and relevant tool."