media centre

24 November 2020, Australia – The recommendations from the final report by the Productivity Commission into Mental Health, along with the National Suicide Prevention Adviser’s Interim Advice, are a major turning point for young Australians living with mental ill-health and should give hope that a ‘person-centred’ mental health system can be achieved. In particular, we … Continue reading “Hope for young people living with mental ill-health with steps toward a ‘person-centred’ mental health system”

10 November 2020, Australia –Youth mental health charity batyr is calling for more action to reduce the number of deaths by suicide in Australia, and says we need to come together in our communities to shift the way mental health is viewed and spoken about. This comes after the latest ‘Causes of Death, Australia’ report … Continue reading “batyr calls on all Australians to play a part in suicide prevention”

28 October 2020, Melbourne, Australia – Youth mental health charity batyr will be launching two new mental health programs designed specifically for international students on Thursday 29 October, in partnership with Meld Community and with support from Study Melbourne. The live-streamed event, Changing the Story: Launching a new mental health program for international students, aims … Continue reading “batyr launches international student mental wellbeing program in Melbourne”

14 October 2020, Australia – Advocating for mental health is nothing new for youth mental health charity, batyr, who welcome the Government’s 2020 Budget announcement and the focus on improving access to mental health services and supporting young people with mental ill-health to find employment. “Young people have faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 … Continue reading “Budget 2020 means good news for youth mental health”

13 October 2020, Northern Beaches, Sydney – In partnership with James Griffin MP, Member for Manly, and the International Convention Centre, youth mental health charity batyr will be hosting an online mental health event for 18-30 year olds from the Northern Beaches. 2020 has been tough for Northern Beaches youth, with feelings of isolation and … Continue reading “Northern Beaches Mental Health Summit to spread resilience, hope and positivity for youth”

7 September 2020, ACT, Australia – Around 80 ANU students will journey from Civic Canberra to Bong Bong Racecourse on 11-12 September in the 10th annual Civic2Surf. The initiative, led by Australian National University (ANU) students, is dedicated to smashing the stigma of mental health, with all money raised going to youth mental health organisation … Continue reading “Civic2Surf celebrates 10 years, ACT to Bong Bong Racecourse relay”

25 August 2020, Townsville, Australia – Mental health charity batyr will deliver a free, digital mental health workshop to students of James Cook University on 5-6 September. Being Herd is a two-day workshop that will bring together a small group of students and teach them how to safely share their lived experience with mental ill-health. … Continue reading “JCU students set to experience Being Herd”

21 July 2020, Armidale, Australia – Youth mental health organisation batyr has adapted its educational programs into a digital offering in response to COVID-19, with The Armidale School (TAS) one of the first schools to experience ‘batyr Online’. The new digital offering, which was first developed in response to COVID-19 social distancing measures and made … Continue reading “batyr goes digital at The Armidale School”

1 July 2020, Central West, Australia – Youth mental health organisation batyr will be delivering its free mental health workshop digitally to Central West youth on 8-9 August in response to physical distancing requirements amid the COVID-19 lockdown. Being Herd is a two-day workshop that brings together a small group of young people (aged 18-30) … Continue reading “Being Herd goes digital in Central West”

10 June 2020, Australia – Youth mental health organisation batyr will be hosting two live-streamed events exploring new ways to promote positive mental health conversations among school and university students now and in a post-COVID 19 world. Joining the school session will be NSW Minister for Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell and NSW Minister for … Continue reading “EVENT: Navigating students’ mental health in 2020”

27 May 2020, Australia – Youth mental health organisation batyr have splashed a number of colourful billboards right across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne to encourage everyone to keep talking for mental health. Even as lockdown restrictions start to ease in many states, many of us are still feeling the effects of physical distancing on our … Continue reading “batyr launches ‘Be Heard, by your Herd’ campaign”

25 May 2020, Townsville – Youth mental health organisation batyr has partnered with James Cook University to support student wellbeing. The partnership comes at a time when students have had to adapt to the realities of physical distancing, which is bringing with it increased levels of anxiety and stress. This is particularly true of many … Continue reading “batyr partners with JCU to support student mental wellbeing”

30 April 2020, Parramatta – Youth mental health organisation batyr are delivering free programs to support young people with mental ill-health not in education, employment or training to find meaningful work and have positive conversations about their mental health. The Being Herd Pathways program includes a digital peer led workshop where young people learn to … Continue reading “‘Pathways’ gives hope to young job seeker, Yoosuf, amid high unemployment rate”

28 April 2020, Australia – Youth mental health organisation batyr has delivered its first digital Being Herd workshop in response to physical distancing requirements amid the COVID-19 lockdown. Being Herd is a two-day workshop that brings together a small group of young people (aged 18-30) and teaches them how to safely share their lived experience … Continue reading “Being Herd goes digital to keep empowering young people”

1 April 2020, Australia –batyr has today launched World Wellness Circle, a global campaign designed to bring the world together to take charge of their mental health and wellbeing daily.  This initiative comes as Australia and the world come to grips with the challenges posed by COVID-19, particularly when it comes to physical distancing. batyr … Continue reading “batyr launches ‘World Wellness Circle’ initiative to support community wellbeing amid COVID-19”

31 March 2020, Australia – Ethical Partners Funds Management has committed $25,000 in funding to youth mental health organisation batyr to deliver their important school and university programs digitally to young people amid the challenges of COVID-19. Young people are facing an increasing time of uncertainty, and in many cases compounded by current isolation measures, … Continue reading “Ethical Partners invests in the mental health of young people; backs youth organisation batyr”

16 March 2020, Australia – Youth mental health organisation batyr has just completed a massive study, analysing 83 lived experience stories from its Herd of young lived experience speakers (aged 18-30) to find common themes in their mental health journey. Self-acceptance/acceptance from others, finding professional help that fits their needs, and having an anchor person … Continue reading “batyr study finds common themes in a young person’s mental health recovery”

14 March 2020, Australia – Emotional Constipation is the latest campaign from youth mental health organisation batyr, and it’s encouraging all Australians to #letitip and talk about mental health. Over 70% of people with mental ill-health will not reach out for help, largely due to stigma*. Feelings of stress, anxiety, and sadness are totally normal but … Continue reading “batyr launches ‘Emotional Constipation’ campaign”

24 February 2020, Australia – For young people, the environment is one of the three most important issues facing Australia, along with mental health, according to the 2019 Mission Australia Youth Survey. To have some anxiety is an appropriate response to what’s happening on our planet. However, eco-anxiety, “a chronic fear of environmental doom” (American … Continue reading “Is climate change affecting your mental health?”

2 December 2019, Sydney, Australia – Youth mental health organisation batyr, in partnership with Budgy Smuggler™, will be hosting the FIRST EVER ‘Splash the Stigma Classic’ on Sunday 15 December at Queenscliff Rockpool, Manly. batyr is calling on the Northern Beaches and batyr supporters far and wide to take part in a 1km team relay … Continue reading “Throw on your budgy smugglers for the ‘Splash the Stigma Classic’”

28 November 2019, Victoria – batyr welcomes the Royal Commission’s interim report into Victoria’s Mental Health System, and it’s encouraging to see that the Victorian government has already committed to adopting all of the recommendations. batyr firstly wants to acknowledge that behind the recommendations, the data, the numbers are real people and communities affected by … Continue reading “batyr responds to Royal Commission interim report”

5 November 2019, Australia – The Productivity Commission has released its draft report on mental health in Australia, with ongoing stigma and a limited understanding of how to access support flagged as key challenges.  The Social and Economic Benefits of Improving Mental Health draft report found that good mental health supports economic participation and productivity … Continue reading “batyr responds to Productivity Commission draft report”

21 October 2019, Sydney, Australia – Youth mental health organisation batyr have teamed up with the NSW Positive Rugby Foundation, and with support from Macquarie Foundation, to host Australia’s Biggest Bush Dance in support of drought-affected communities in NSW. The event kicks off tomorrow from 7:30am at Martin Place, with the aim is to have over … Continue reading “Boot scoot for regional mental health at Australia’s Biggest Bush Dance”

10 October 2019, Adelaide – The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Do you see what I see?’, with the aim to: Challenge negative perceptions of mental health. Encourage people to shine a positive light on mental health. Make a way for people to seek the support that need. At batyr, we … Continue reading “Caddie shares her story for World Mental Health Day”

10 October 2019, Sydney – The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Do you see what I see?’, with the aim to: Challenge negative perceptions of mental health. Encourage people to shine a positive light on mental health. Make a way for people to seek the support that need. At batyr, we … Continue reading “Maddie shares her story for World Mental Health Day”

10 October 2019, Melbourne – The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Do you see what I see?’, with the aim to: Challenge negative perceptions of mental health. Encourage people to shine a positive light on mental health. Make a way for people to seek the support they need. At batyr, we … Continue reading “Simeon shares his story for World Mental Health Day”

10 October 2019, Melbourne – The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Do you see what I see?’, with the aim to: Challenge negative perceptions of mental health. Encourage people to shine a positive light on mental health. Make a way for people to seek the support they need. At batyr, we … Continue reading “Genesis’ story for World Mental Health Day”

10 October 2019, ACT – The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Do you see what I see?’, with the aim to: Challenge negative perceptions of mental health. Encourage people to shine a positive light on mental health. Make a way for people to seek the support they need. At batyr, we … Continue reading “Anna shares her story for World Mental Health Day”

10 October 2019, Adelaide – The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Do you see what I see?’, with the aim to: Challenge negative perceptions of mental health. Encourage people to shine a positive light on mental health. Make a way for people to seek the support they need. At batyr, we … Continue reading “Brahdilleone shares his story for World Mental Health Day”

10 October 2019, Brisbane – The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Do you see what I see?’, with the aim to: Challenge negative perceptions of mental health. Encourage people to shine a positive light on mental health. Make a way for people to seek the support they need. At batyr, we … Continue reading “Tristan shares his story for World Mental Health Day”

10 October 2019, Adelaide – The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Do you see what I see?’, with the aim to: Challenge negative perceptions of mental health. Encourage people to shine a positive light on mental health. Make a way for people to seek the support they need. At batyr, we … Continue reading “Aki shares her story for World Mental Health Day”

10 October 2019, Sydney – The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Do you see what I see?’, with the aim to: Challenge negative perceptions of mental health. Encourage people to shine a positive light on mental health. Make a way for people to seek the support they need. At batyr, we … Continue reading “Emma shares her story for World Mental Health Day”

10 October 2019, Melbourne – The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Do you see what I see?’, with the aim to: Challenge negative perceptions of mental health. Encourage people to shine a positive light on mental health. Make a way for people to seek the support they need. At batyr, we … Continue reading “Callum shares his story for World Mental Health Day”

10 October 2019, Brisbane – The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Do you see what I see?’, with the aim to: Challenge negative perceptions of mental health. Encourage people to shine a positive light on mental health. Make a way for people to seek the support they need. At batyr, we … Continue reading “Rebecca shares her story for World Mental Health Day”

10 October 2019, ACT – The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Do you see what I see?’, with the aim to: Challenge negative perceptions of mental health. Encourage people to shine a positive light on mental health. Make a way for people to seek the support they need. At batyr, we … Continue reading “Declan shares his story for World Mental Health Day”

25 September 2019, Australia – The latest ‘Causes of Death’ data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has shown only a slight decrease in the rate of suicide across Australia, but there is hope as mental health organisations, service providers and government continue the conversation and support initiatives to reach zero. All states except … Continue reading “Suicide rates still high but there is hope”

25 August 2019, Tumut, NSW – In August, batyr delivered a number of workshops at Tumut High School to help facilitate the introduction of a wellbeing nurse as part of a NSW Government pilot program. The aim of the NSW Government’s Wellbeing and Health In-Reach Nurse Coordinators pilot program (WHIN initiative) is to reduce the … Continue reading “batyr helps facilitate nurse pilot program in regional NSW”

19 August 2019, Central Coast, NSW – Central Coast has the sixth highest concentrated area of unemployed youth in NSW, at 16.5% compared to the national average of 12.2% The newest initiative by youth mental health organisation batyr aims to give a voice and practical skills to young people not in education, employment or training.  … Continue reading “New program aimed at tackling youth unemployment on Central Coast”

8 August 2019, Sydney – A Brookvale gym owner is campaigning his Manly community to vote for youth mental health organisation batyr in the NSW government’s My Community Project. My Community Project allows local residents to have their say on what initiatives the NSW government should be funding that will have a positive effect on … Continue reading “Brookvale gym owner advocates for youth mental health in My Community Project”

17 June 2019, Victoria – The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System has entered its third week and batyr has added its submission to make young voices heard. Since 2011, batyr has trained close to 700 young people to share their stories of resilience living with mental ill-health and how they reached out for … Continue reading “batyr adds young voices to the Victorian Mental Health Royal Commission”

14 June 2019, Western Sydney – Youth mental health organisation batyr are excited to launch a new program for young people who need it most; those who aren’t in education, employment or training.  What is Being Herd Pathways? At a Being Herd Pathways workshop, young people get to hear from a young person who has … Continue reading “New program aimed at tackling youth unemployment in Western Sydney”

19 August 2019, Tamworth, NSW – batyr regional lived experience speaker Amy Deverell shares her personal story with mental ill-health and her recovery journey. When I was 4, my Dad won a pretty significant amount of money on the lottery. I was very lucky, as an only child, that this afforded my parents and I … Continue reading “Telling my story lets young people know “they’re not alone””

11 June 2019, Sydney – Prime Minister Scott Morrison made a surprise appearance at a [email protected] program in Burwood in Sydney’s Inner West today. This is the second program batyr has run at Burwood Girls High School and the first program the PM has attended since committing $2.8 million over three years to fund our … Continue reading “Prime Minister Scott Morrison attends first batyr program”