Thompson To Help Teens Tackle Depression 1

Wednesday, 3 June 2009


Thompson to help teens tackle depression

Former AFL star Nathan Thompson, V/Line and the Victorian Country Football League (VCFL) will team
up to help south west Victorian teenagers make positive decisions in life.

Young people between the ages of 14 to 18 and their parents are encouraged to get along to the
Cobden Football and Netball Club next Wednesday (10 June) to take part in a special Life Training
program.

The program is now travelling across the state, educating young people about the importance of making
positive choices in life, focusing on areas such as binge drinking, depression and drugs.

V/Line Life Training ambassador, Thompson, and leading youth mental health service, Orygen Youth
Health, will present next Wednesday's session, focusing on the issue of depression.

Orygen Youth Health training and development manager, Swagata Bapat, said by educating the
community about depression, the program can encourage more young people to ask for assistance to
receive quality, effective treatment.

"One in four Australian teenagers will experience depression by the end of adolescence, however many
of these young people do not seek help," Ms Bapat said.

Nathan Thompson said each session discusses the effects certain decisions can have on people's lives.

"V/Line's Life Training program educates students on taking responsibility for their choices in life, and
aims to make these choices positive ones," Thompson said.

V/Line CEO, Rob Barnett, said the V/Line Life Training program is a great way to raise awareness of the
issues affecting young people.

"We know the health and wellbeing of young people is top of mind for our communities in regional
Victoria so we're happy to be involved in a program that holds such value," Mr Barnett said.

"The issues this program addresses are relevant to all young Victorians so we're pleased that teenagers
across the state have the opportunity to take part."

To attend next Wednesday's session, register your interest at vline.com.au/lifetraining


V/Line Life Training Cobden
Date: Wednesday 10 June.
Place: Cobden Football and Netball Club, Cobden Recreation Reserve, Parrott Street.
Theme: Depression.
Time: 7.30-9.30pm.

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