Promoting Help-Seeking, Mental Health & Resilience in Schools

Who participated in YAM (Youth Aware of Mental Health)?

3 Schools in Country South Australia

• Tumby Bay
• Minlaton
• Port Pirie

260+ year 9 & 10 Students

6 YAM Instructors

What has been the impact of YAM?

• Decrease in suicidal thoughts
• Decrease in depressed mood
• Increase in intentions to seek help if needed

What was done to support the rollout of YAM?

300+ South Australian Department of Education teachers and staff undertook Question Persuade Refer (QPR) online suicide prevention training

70+ South Australian Department of Education teachers and staff participated in SafeTalk training

20+ South Australian Department of Education teachers and staff participated in Applied Suicide Prevention Training

Teacher Testimonial

Students developed their knowledge and understanding of mental health in a manner that wasn’t confronting for them. Students learnt through the use of classroom posters, information booklets, visual presentations, role-plays and group discussions.

Students identified the difference between feelings, stress, crisis situations, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The group discussed and learnt a variety of methods to support themselves, friends and family members to help them in the future. The program was well received by students at our school and we hope to continue the program in the years ahead. 

– Teacher