Nine young men from Kingston High School recently took part in a health and well-being program spanning six weeks.
The program was designed to educate and support participants in the areas of stress management, emotional regulation, identifying positive role models, making informed choices, alcohol and other drugs (AOD), health and well-being, self-defence and healthy relationships.
Based at Kingborough Council’s yspace, the participants, who are in Grade 8, had the opportunity to connect with workers from Colony47’s Reconnect Program, their school health nurse, and educators from Pulse Youth Health Services and the Policy and Community Youth Club. This safe environment enabled them to be able to ask any questions and encouraged them to participate in a variety of discussions.
A highlight of the program was the final day where participants went on an excursion to Rockit Climbing Centre to challenge themselves and celebrate what they had learnt during the program. This was followed by a visit to The Link Youth Health Service where they met youth workers to learn about the service. Council’s previous Young Men’s Program and a Young Women’s Program have been successful, and the programs are planned to run again in 2019.
All young men or women’s programs provide the opportunity for students to feel safe when asking questions and to access information that they may not feel comfortable doing in a mixed group.
The program was run by Kingborough Council’s Youth Services in partnership with Colony47, Pulse Youth Health Services, PCYC and Kingston High School.