Appeal from the Sebastian Foundation

The Sebastian Foundation is calling for interest from the Riverina schools to run an in-school program. Australian singer Guy Sebastian and his wife Jules formed The Sebastian Foundation in 2013 and offers mental health services to those who require their assistance.

Guy Sebastian has written directly to schools in hope of helping children deal with anxiety before it becomes overwhelming.

“The program we offered to fund builds student's mental health skills so that they can cope with many things life throws at them. It is really about giving all students the tools they need to cope when things get tough,” said the foundation’s manager Rebecca Oxenbould.

“For example, a little bit of anxiety in life is normal, but too much becomes overwhelming.”

The clinically-developed nine session video program has complementary parts for teachers and parents.

Suicide, depression, trauma, grief, consent and boundaries, social media, anxiety, body image, bullying, addiction and friendship difficulties are just some of the issues discussed in the counselling.

“The use of film is important and it shows kids other people around their age going through the same things which is really important for adolescents who often don't want to talk to or listen to their teachers, parents or other adults and this has a secondary benefit of taking the heavy lifting of the teachers,” Ms Oxenbould said.

“Guy, as the father of two young boys, just wants for all the kids of Australia what he wishes for his own kids - that they grow up healthy and happy and to their full potential.”

Mr Sebastian’s life has been impacted by suicide in friends and close family and is touched by the stories he hears from people who write to him almost daily with their awful tales of loss.

Jules' brother took his life three days after their wedding which was a terrible and life changing shock and in 2018 one of his band members also committed suicide - both of these had a significant impact in driving the work we do with the Foundation.

• Topics:

• Mental Health and Welbeing