The Geelong Cats officially marked October’s Mental Health Month on Monday, hosting a Cyber Cats XP educational session.
One in four young Australian’s will experience a mental health condition this year. In 2018, the Mental Health Foundation Australia’s ‘Mental Health Month’ focusses on raising awareness of the prevalence of youth mental illness to support the mental health and well-being of young Australians.
Since it’s inception in 2012, Cyber Cats has educated year 7 students on the issues surrounding online behaviour and provides tools and strategies to help them be positive cyber citizens.
With support from program partners headspace Geelong , Telstra and Barwon Child Youth and Family, Cyber Cats delves into the education of cyber bullying, the power of the bystander, privacy and online information and the legalities of online communication.
“The Cyber Cats program aims to empower young people to be positive cyber citizens and to seek help if they are being bullied online,” Malcolm Scott, Manager headspace Geelong said.
“We are really proud to be a part of this program which builds young people’s capacity to deal with cyber bullying in this rapidly changing world.”
On Monday over 100 students from Northern Bay, Western Heights Secondary and North Geelong Secondary College attended GMHBA Stadium to participate in Cyber Cats XP with Geelong AFLW player Rocky Cranston.
Cranston shared with students her experience with online activity to and also ran a physical health component of the program.
“Today, students participated in activities that focused on a range of issues including bystander messages and behaviour, confidence building, physical health and mindfulness,” Geelong’s General Manager of Community Sarah Albon.
“We are proud of the way in which, with the help of our program partners, Cyber Cats educates and empowers our youth.”
Cyber Cats is offered to all schools in the Barwon region free of charge. Any enquires to schools@geelongcats.com.au’
