The Department for Human Services has awarded a total of $180,000 in grant funding to 14 South Australian organisations to implement mental wellbeing initiatives for young people in their local communities following community feedback.

The Youth Action Plan – Mental Wellbeing Grant Round was developed by the State Government in response to public consultation conducted as part of the development of the new SA Youth Action Plan.

Mental health support a key area of concern for young people

The consultation – which received nearly 900 responses with 83 per cent of those being from young people – identified access to community-based mental wellbeing support was a key area of need for 12 to 25-year-olds in both metropolitan and regional areas.

Around one fifth of young people who participated in the consultation indicated a need for more mental health support, with those figures increasing to more than a quarter of young people in regional and remote locations.

Not-for-profit agency Key Assets among grant recipients

Among the successful organisations is Key Assets, a not-for-profit children’s and family services agency. Key Assets has received $13,170 in funding to introduce a life skills training program for young people who are transitioning from out of home care to independence.

Key Assets will run four CREATE Your Future workshops in the north, south, west and central metropolitan areas to assist young people with skills including communication and critical thinking to help in entering the job market, as well as financial management and maintaining their health.

Other grant recipients

• Australian Refugee Association - $15,000 for Thriving Youth to support the mental wellbeing of vulnerable young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in the northern suburbs.
• City of Onkaparinga - $13,217 for Wellbeing Wednesdays to promote open conversations and breakdown stigma around mental health in the south.
• Light Regional Council - $7,200 for ‘Youth in the Spotlight’ at the Freeling Agriculture Recreation and Multiuse (FARM) centre.
• Regional Council of Goyder - $10,900 for a Goyder Youth Activity Group to offer monthly social activities for young people in Burra and surrounding districts.
• Carers and Disability Link - $15,000 for Empowering Youth to Wellness Workshops, including mindfulness practice, for young carers in the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, Clare and Kadina regions.

View the complete list of grant recipients and the programs they will undertake.

Youth Action Plan to be released later this year

Feedback received during the consultation is now being compiled, with the SA Youth Action Plan set to be released in 2024.