Running Start for Youth Campaign

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Today Ipswich State High School hosted the launch of a 27 day youth diversity campaign aimed at raising awareness for the social and emotional wellbeing of young people in rural QLD.

Project Yellow, an initiative of Relationships Australia Queensland (RAQ), will see Counsellor, Chris Pye, run a distance of 500 kilometres, between Ipswich and Roma, visiting 27 schools to talk to students about social inclusion and diversity.

“Social exclusion is a major factor in young people feeling isolated and at risk of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. At a time in life when most people are striving to belong and find their place, the consequences of social ostracism for young people can be devastating,” said
Project Yellow Coordinator, Chris Pye.

“Youth suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-24 year-olds in Australia, second only to motor vehicle accidents. This needs to be addressed. We hope Project Yellow will play a small part in helping us address this epidemic.”

Interactive theatre techniques involved students in exploring ideas and strategies for building more caring and inclusive school communities.

Students were also be invited to participate in the 500 kilometre challenge, by running a portion of the distance with Chris on their very own school oval.

“We want the students to remember this project and the ‘Three Cs’ of Care, Challenge and
Celebration’. The dynamic nature of Chris’ visit has helped to achieve this,” said Ipswich State High School Principal, Mr Simon Riley.

The Project Yellow website will offer young people a number of ways to engage with the project and its broader mission for cultural change, long after Chris’s visit. They can follow Chris’s daily blogs, sign the ‘Three Cs Pledge’ and share their own stories of care, challenge and celebration in their own school. For more information, visit www.projectyellow.org.au.

Rebecca Cook
Marketing Manager
Relationships Australia
Mobile: 0448563458
Email: rcook@relateqld.com.au
Website: www.projectyellow.org.au