The Harcourts Foundation has strengthened its commitment to community wellbeing with a significant donation to support youth mental health education.
The Foundation has provided $20,000to the “Backpack for Life” program, an initiative developed by registered charity It’s Okay Not to Be Okay for Grade 5 and 6 primary school students.
Founded in 2016 by three sisters grieving the loss of their brother to suicide, It’s Okay Not to Be Okay has focused on advocating for mental health awareness, grief support, and suicide prevention.
Their “Backpack for Life” workshop is designed to create a safe environment where children can understand their emotions, learn coping mechanisms, and develop a healthy relationship with mental health.
The one-hour workshops explore key themes such as understanding mental health, recognising feelings and emotions, and identifying tools to cope with challenging times.
With 75% of mental illness developing before the age of 25, the charity believes that prevention work must begin in primary schools.
Sharon Kupsch, Harcourts Foundation Victoria Ambassador, expressed the significance of the grant after witnessing a workshop firsthand.
“It was an honour and a privilege to witness a workshop and present the Foundation cheque for the very special work they do,” Ms Kupsch said.
“Backpack for Life is such a fantastic idea, and it was just as fantastic to see the kids embracing it.”
Kaitlyn Schepisi from Harcourts Carrum Downs also championed the initiative, highlighting the widespread impact of mental health issues.
“Mental health is such a prevalent issue in so many areas of life now—our families, friends, co-workers, and even our clients,” Ms Schepisi said.
“We are all human, and sometimes all we need to hear is ‘It’s OK not to be OK.’ I cannot think of a more important cause to support than It’s Okay Not to Be Okay. They should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved and the support they bring to the community.”
The Backpack for Life program uses interactive activities and open discussions to help children understand what impacts mental health and the importance of addressing emotions in a safe and fun way.
The $20,000 support ensures that more children will benefit from this program, fostering resilience and mental health awareness at a young age.
The Harcourts Foundation continues to demonstrate its commitment to community wellbeing through supporting initiatives that create lasting positive impact.